NEW DELHI, June 18: The Delhi High Court Friday took cognisance of the violation of COVID-19 protocols in various markets in the national capital and observed that such breaches will only hasten the third wave of coronavirus which cannot be permitted at all.
The high court said if this behaviour of flouting COVID-19 norms continues “we will be in a great trouble”. “God help us if all that happens”. It asked the Centre and Delhi government to take strict measures, sensitise shopkeepers and hold meetings with markets and vendors associations in this regard.
A vacation bench of justices Navin Chawla and Asha Menon took note of certain photographs sent to one of the high court judges on WhatsApp by an AIIMS doctor showing scant regard for COVID-19 protocols by street vendors in markets.
“We have paid a huge price in the second wave. We don’t know if there is any household which has not suffered in the second wave, closely or remotely,” the bench observed, adding that “we as a citizen of this city are worried when we see these images”.
It further said the memory of the second wave of COVID-19 is still fresh with so many people having suffered personal loss.
“Such breach will only hasten the third wave, which is likely to come and this cannot be permitted,” it added.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the photographs, the HC initiated a PIL, directing the Centre, the Delhi government and the Delhi Police to file status reports.
Observing that people need deterrent but it should come from within, the court fixed the next hearing on July 9, directing it be placed before the Chief Justice. (PTI)
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