Jharkhand HC Seeks Action Taken Report For Implementation Of Lockdown Measures [Read Order]

The bench was hearing a suo moto case registered against non-implementation of the lockdown measures in the state, especially in its capital city Ranchi that has been declared as a red zone for Corona virus.

The court has asked the state government to apprise it with the steps being taken for:

• strict compliance of lockdown guidelines as issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs;
• effective sealing of the district boundaries to restrict unauthorized movement;
• protocol to conduct test, identify and quarantine COVID-19 suspects;
• ensuing availability of proper medical facilities, including separate wards, for treatment of terminally ill patients suffering from chronic disease like heart, kidney etc. in all Medical Colleges and Hospitals and General Hospitals of the State;
• segregation of Covid19 and Non-Covid-19 patients;
• protection of Safai Karamchari and other municipal workers involved in sanitizing hotspot/containment zone;
• sensitization of the erring and non-complaint people residing within the containment/hotspot zone.

Pertinently, a report was sought from the government vide an order dated April 17. However, being dissatisfied with the affidavit so filed by the state, the Court has sought a fresh response.

"This Court after going through the query as also the reply furnished by the State of Jharkhand is not satisfied and, therefore, this Court hereby directs the Chief Secretary of the State of Jharkhand to file a fresh affidavit replying to the queries as made in the order dated 17.04.2020 considering the observation made by this Court, as above," the bench ordered.

The court has also sought reports on stray incidents of lockdown violations, including a reported incident of movement order passed by the Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi enabling movement of certain people through 08 buses/vehicles.

Additionally, the bench has asked the state to inform them about the policy that has been devised to take care of such migrant labourers working outside the State and after lifting of lockdown if they come to the State of Jharkhand, what step is to be taken to quarantine them initially for a period of 14 days.

Inter alia, due consideration was given to the issue of protection of the Transgender community, during the lockdown.

Responding on the same, the State government has assured the court that it will take all endeavors for providing meal to the transgender as also will come out with its stand pertaining to issuance of Ration Cards to them.

The matter is now listed for hearing on May 5.

Case Details:

Case Title: Court on its own motion v. State of Jharkhand & Ors. (and other connected petitions)

Case No.: WP (PIL) No. 1301/2020

Quorum: Chief Justice Dr. Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad

Appearance: Advocate Sonal Tiwary (for Petitioner); Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan (for State); ASGI Rajiv Sinha (for Union of India); Advocate Dr. AK Singh (for RIMS)

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