'Situation Not As Grim Compared To Second Wave': Rajasthan High Court Closes PIL Concerning Covid-19 & Healthcare Management

Hoping for a downward trend in cases, the division bench of Chief Justice Akil Kureshi and Justice Madan Gopal Vyas closed a PIL concerning Covid-19 management in the state.

The PIL was filed by one Surendra Jain last year, seeking directions to the State authorities to ensure sufficient and equitable distribution of life saving drugs and medical equipments such as Remdesivir, Oxygen cylinders etc. He also sought directions for appropriate treatment and management at Covid hospitals.

Several significant orders were passed on this petition when the pandemic was at its peak.

Covid-19: Rajasthan High Court Issues Directions For Real Time Updates On Hospital Beds; Local Production Of Oxygen; Deployment Of Medical Staff

On Wednesday, the court noted that the prayers made by the petitioner related to the period when the State and in fact the whole country was reeling under the second wave of Coronavirus. It therefore remarked that the present situation is not as grim, as compared to the peak period of the second wave. The court also took judicial notice of the fact that the second wave has abated.

"Taking cognizance of the issues raised in the petition, the Court had passed appropriate orders from time to time. We may take judicial notice of the fact that the second wave has abated. The situation, as compared to the peak period of second wave, is not grim."

The court added that apparently, unlike in the past, shortage of oxygen, intensive care units, beds availability in specialized wards, is not reported.

The court further remarked,,

"Hoping that this downward trend in Corona cases which one has witnessed in the past few days, continues, we propose to close this petition."

The division bench also appreciated the efforts of the petitioner to bring relevant issues to the notice of the Court at appropriate time. If the situation demands again in future; hopefully such a situation would not arise; it would be open for the petitioner or any other similar persons to knock the doors of the Court, added the court.

While disposing of the petition, the court observed,

"Before closing, we may record that one of the issues seriously touched by the High Court was of the shortage of medical and para-medical staff in Government hospitals. We are informed that this issue is directly arising in other public interest petition where the Court is examining the same."

Case Title: Surendra Jain v. State of Rajasthan and Ors.

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Raj) 50

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