Skip to main content

Shocking state of affairs: Supreme Court expresses disappointment over relaxation in Covid-19 norms by Kerala government

Shocking state of affairs: Supreme Court expresses disappointment over relaxation in Covid norms by Kerala government


The Supreme Court today expressed its disappointment over the Kerala government’s decision to allow a three-day relaxation in Covid-19 restrictions in Kerala ahead of Bakrid festival, stating that granting such relaxation by bowing to traders’ pressure shows a “shocking state of affairs” and such a step was “wholly uncalled for”.

The bench did not quash the Kerala government notification granting such relaxation stating that "There is no point. The horse has already bolted. We are not quashing the notification." However, the bench added that "pressure groups of all kinds, religious or otherwise, cannot in any manner, interfere with this most precious Fundamental Right of all the citizens of India. We may also indicate that if as a result of the Notification dated 17.07.2021, any untoward spread in the Covid-19 disease takes place, any member of the public may bring this to the notice of this Court, after which this Court will take necessary action against those who are responsible".

The bench comprising Justices RF Nariman and BR Gavai directed the Kerala government to pay heed to Article 21 read with Article 144 of the Constitution of India and to follow the orders passed in the Kanwar Yatra case.”


On Monday, the Supreme Court had asked the Kerala government to file its response to the plea against the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions in the state announced by the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on July 17 in view of Bakrid.

The Kerala government cited the miseries caused to traders who were expecting Bakrid sales to alleviate their economic problems as the reason behind its decision to grant relaxation in Covid-19 restrictions.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Patna High Court Declares Bihar’s Reservation Amendments Ultra Vires

  In a landmark decision, the Patna High Court has invalidated the Bihar government's legislative attempt to increase reservations for backward classes. The court's ruling focused on procedural flaws and the absence of a robust empirical basis for the hike, sparking a debate on judicial intervention in affirmative action policies. Background and Rationale Behind Setting Aside Bihar Reservation Increase Law The Bihar government had proposed an increase in reservations to address socio-economic disparities faced by backward classes. However, the court found that the state failed to follow due process, which includes conducting a thorough empirical study to justify the policy change. This procedural oversight led to the court's decision to strike down the increase. The High Court emphasized the necessity of a data-driven approach for policy changes related to reservations. The ruling underscored that without solid empirical evidence, such policies could not be justified within...

Pune Porsche Crash: Father of Minor Granted Bail

Image Credit: tv9marathi A Pune court has granted bail to the minor’s father, Vishal Agarwal, who faced charges under the Juvenile Justice Act for neglect and endangering the child by allowing him to drive without a license and consume alcohol. Additionally, bar owners and managers were arrested for serving alcohol to minors. The father, already in custody for other related charges, was implicated in the alleged manipulation of his son’s blood samples and in a separate case of kidnapping his driver. Advocate Prashant Patil argued that Vishal Agarwal's arrest was unlawful, contending that the charges were non-cognizable offenses and required a notice under the Criminal Procedure Code. Mr. Patil also highlighted contradictions in police reports, where the minor was listed as the accused in one FIR and as a victim in another.  Also Read:  Delhi High Court Stays Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Bail in Excise Policy Case Earlier Proceedings in the Pune Porsche Crash Inc...

Counsel's failure to argue written submissions is not a ground of review: Bombay High Court

By - Sameeksha Negi* The Bombay High Court has observed that “If Counsel has not urged a point, the fact that there were written submissions is immaterial if those written submissions were never in fact argued.” The Bench also added that “Counsel’s failure to argue written submissions is not a ground of review or, I dare say, even appeal. It is no ground to assail any order of any judge of any court.”   The bench was hearing a review petition filed for seeking reinstatement of original arbitration petition on grounds some of which were never argued and others never pleaded and the said petition was filed after the original arbitration petition was fully argued, and then decided by pronouncement in open court. Also Read - The Pension Scheme for freedom fighters cannot be construed in a manner that the requirements prescribed are rendered a dead letter: Bombay HC According to Justice GS Patel allowing parties to take grounds in review pleas or in appeals that were not argued initi...