Adhere to norms, then blame govt: HC

THE COURT SAID ANY PERSON STEPPING OUTSIDE SHALL HAVE TO WEAR A MASK COVERING THEIR NOSE AND MOUTH

MUMBAI: Citizens should practice restraint and discipline amid the surge in COVID-19 cases before blaming the government, the Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court said on Monday while passing several directions on the pandemic.

A division bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and B U Debadwar directed that all persons, including public servants not on duty and doctors and paramedical staff, carry their Aadhaar cards while stepping out of their homes and also wear masks.

“We as citizens should show some loyalty to our place and sensibility before blaming the government. Residents need to practice restraint and discipline,” Justice Ghuge said.

The court noted that schemes and systems are good but it is humans who destroy them and make them rotten.

“We see youngsters, girls and boys, loitering outside without any purpose. People are travelling on bikes on triples and sometimes even four persons without helmets and masks,” the court said.

The court said any person stepping outside shall have to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth.

“Wearing a mask below the chin or exposing their mouth or chin shall also be booked as such people often turn out to be super spreaders of coronavirus,” Justice Ghuge said.

The court said no member of any political party or an influential person shall use his influence to help a lockdown violator.

The bench had last week taken up suo motu (on its own) cognisance of COVID-19 related issues like lack of oxygen, Remdesivir injections, people not following lockdown restrictions etc.

The court said it had no intention to pass any order that would interfere with the government’s policy of equal distribution of oxygen and Remdesivir injections.

“There would be no grabbing of share of Remdesivir injections or oxygen supply to Aurangabad from other districts in the state. The government, both Union and State, has its policy of equal distribution and we do not intend to disturb it,” the court said.