Allahabad HC To Hear Plea For Establishment Of Commission To Assess The Impact Of COVID-19 Pandemic On The Indian Economy [Read Order]

On Wednesday, a division bench of Justices Pankaj Kumar Jaiswal and Karunesh Singh Pawa fixed the matter for the said date while directing the Petitioner to supply a copy of the PIL to the Central Government.

The Petitioner-Advocate, Dr. Shivji Shukla, has sought a direction to the Central and the State Government for constitution of a Committee/ Commission to quantify the monetary losses incurred by the Government during the pandemic.

He has also sought formation of a Committee to assess and quantify the losses incurred by the public.

During the course of admission hearing, the bench expressed its doubts regarding the maintainability of the petition and remarked that the relief sought by the Petitioner could not be allowed as the pandemic is ongoing.

"At present, effect of the COVID-19 is going on and, therefore, no such relief as prayed in this Public Interest Litigation can be granted to the petitioner nor we issue any notice to the respondent nos. 3 to 5. Thus, appropriate course for the petitioner is to withdraw this writ petition or to argue it on the question of maintainability," it said.

However, when the Assistant Solicitor General of India appearing on behalf of the Central Government pointed out his inability to comment upon the matter due to non-supply of complete copy of the petition, the bench directed the Petitioner to rectify the same while adjourning the matter till next date.

"We direct the petitioner to supply a copy of the complete set of the writ petition to Sri S.B. Pandey, learned counsel for the respondent no.1 as well as respondent no.2 through e-mail within three days from today and argue the matter on the question of maintainability of the writ petition on the next date of listing, failing which, we will consider the objection with regard to maintainability of the writ petition and pass appropriate order on the next date of listing," the court ordered.

Case Details:

Case Title: Dr. Shivji Shukla v. Union of India & Ors.

Case No.: PIL No. 7941/2020

Quorum: Justices Pankaj Kumar Jaiswal and Karunesh Singh Pawa

Appearance: Petitioner in person; ASGI SB Pandey (for Respondents)

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