Can’t be mute spectators in national crisis, says SC

Top court asks Centre ‘rationale and basis’ behind differential pricing of Covid-19 vaccines

NEW DELHI: Terming the massive resurgence of Covid-19 cases a “national crisis”, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said it cannot remain a “mute spectator” and made clear that its suo motu (on its own) proceeding on devising national policy for Covid-19 management is not meant to supplant high court hearings.

A bench headed by justice DY Chandrachud said the high courts are in a better position to monitor the pandemic situation within their territorial boundaries and the apex court was playing a complementary role and its “intervention must be understood in the correct perspective” as there are some matters which transcend the regional boundaries.

There is a need for top court’s intervention on certain national issues as there might be matters related to coordination between states, it said.

“We are playing complementary role. If high courts have any difficulty in dealing with issues due to territorial limitations, we will help,” said the bench, also comprising justices L Nageswara