‘Why are you opening up everything?’: HC slams govt

Stating that the number of those infected is “mind boggling”, the court asked the government to submit a policy, if any, on controlling the rising cases. Delhi on Wednesday reported 8,593 cases.

The high court on Wednesday criticised the Delhi government for relaxing norms for almost everything, including public movement and gatherings, and wanted to know how the administration would handle the “alarming” rise in Covid-19 cases in the capital.

A view of the crowded marketplace as people flout social distancing during the festive season, at Sadar Bazar, in New Delhi. (Amal KS/ Hindustan Times)

Stating that the number of those infected is “mind boggling”, the court asked the government to submit a policy, if any, on controlling the rising cases. Delhi on Wednesday reported 8,593 cases.

A bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Subramonium Prasad questioned the government’s unlocking strategy, including allowing 200 people to gather at weddings, permitting public transport at full capacity, lack of social distancing and violation of mask rules.

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The court remarked that no household in the city had remain “untouched” by the virus and took note of the fourth sero survey report that indicated one in every four persons in Delhi had been infected by Covid-19.

“You (Delhi) have seen the heights which no other state in the country has seen. Today, Delhi is beating the whole state of Maharashtra and Kerala hands down in Covid-19 infections. When the numbers are decreasing in all the states, then why are numbers rising only in your state? Either there is no control or there is lack of control,” the bench said, coming down on the Delhi government represented by additional standing counsel Satyakam.

“We will present a detailed report to the court on actions being taken to control the current Corona situation. All the actions taken so far have been under the guidelines issued by Centre and after consultation with various experts. In future too, the Delhi government will not be found wanting in case we have to take any action based on directions of the court or as suggested by experts,” the Delhi government said in a statement on the court’s remarks.

The court said even the petitioner, advocate Rakesh Malhotra, had been infected and had to run from pillar to post to get a bed and later had to settle for a friend’s nursing home after his oxygen level dipped. Malhotra, who wanted tests to be ramped in the city, appeared through video from the hospital

“There are children, elderly people at everyone’s house and there is no household left in Delhi which hasn’t been touched by the virus. When other states are locking up, either partial or in the weekend, what we see is the swarming streets of Delhi and the government has decided to throw its winds open and has allowed all gatherings,” it said.