"COVID Period Is Over" : Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Filed Amid Pandemic To Ensure Education Of Migrant Workers' Children

When the matter was taken up for hearing, the petitioner advocate gave a short brief on what the plea is about.

"But the COVID-19 period is over. This is an issue which arose during the COVID period. The time period is over, it arose due to the peculiar problems faced by the migrants. If you want to file some other petition for some other relief, it is different" a Bench comprising of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay Shreeniwas Oka was quick to observe.

Shortly after, the Bench proceeded to pass its order in the matter.

"The passage of time has made this matter infructuous as the issue sought to be addressed was with respect to the children of migrant workers during the COVID-19 period. The counsel for petitioner submits that he may be permitted to withdraw the petition. Dismissed as withdrawn."

The NGO, Good Governance Chambers, in its plea, had prayed for directions to effectively address the issues related to elementary education of children between 6 to 14 years, which is a fundamental right under Article 21A of the Constitution.

In August, 2020, a three-judge Bench headed by the then Chief Justice had issued notice in the matter.

Case Title: Good Governance Chambers vs UOI And Ors | WP [C] No. 648/2020