Give fresh report on Covid, HC tells govt Govt best judge on Numaish: HC

Expresses concern over rise in Covid, Omicron cases

Taking into consideration the growing number of Covid-19 and Coronavirus’ new variant Omicron cases in last few days, the Telangana High Court on Tuesday sought a report from the experts’ committee constituted by the government to advise the administration on steps to be taken to combat the disease.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili was hearing a batch of PILs filed on

Covid-19 related issues. The court also directed the medical and health department to file a fresh status report explaining the steps being taken and facilities created to tackle the rising Covid19 and Omicron case. The court wanted the report by January 7 when the cases will be heard again.

Director of Public Health Dr G. Srinivasa on Tuesday filed a status report, explaining the situation and the steps being taken by the department to contain or curb the pandemic.

Advocate-General B.S. Prasad told the court that all possible precautionary steps were taken to curb the spread of Covid-19. He said citizens were following precautions and those who were violating the curbs were being penalised. L. Ravichander, senior counsel, appearing for a petitioners, requested the court to hear the petitions.

The Telangana High Court on Tuesday said the state government is the best judge to decide whether the annual Numaish exhibition at Nampally this month should be allowed in view of the present spread of Omicron and other Covid-19 cases here.

A division bench of Chief Justice SC Sharma and Justice Abhinand Shavili was adjudicating the PIL filed in 2019 by an advocate Khaja Aijajuddin seeking compensation to traders and visitors who lost their material and lives during a fire accident at Numaish that year, and also seeking a probe into the fire accident.

The PIL had contended that the exhibition was held without obtaining prior permissions from the government.

The court disposed of the PIL on the ground that the state government had issued a GO, which had mandated the exhibition society to obtain prior permissions from the fire department, the GHMC, the city police etc.

Counsel for the exhibition society, Prabhakar sought the court’s permission to challenge the decision of the state government suspending the Numaish from January