Are Covid norms in place at protest websites, SC asks Centre

THE SUPREME COURT on Thursday sought to know from the Centre if Covid-19 security protocols had been being adopted on the venues of the farmers’ protests on the Delhi borders and expressed concern that it may result in a scenario much like what allegedly occurred after the Tablighi Jamaat congregation within the nationwide capital in March final yr.
A 3-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India S A Bobde was listening to a plea which sought motion towards authorities for permitting the Tablighi Jamaat congregation on the Nizamuddin Markaz amidst the pandemic final yr. Many of those that attended the occasion had later examined optimistic for Covid-19.
“You must tell us what is happening. I don’t know if farmers are protected from Covid-19. Same problem may arise in the farmers’ protest too,” CJI Bobde informed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. “We are trying to ensure that Covid-19 does not spread. Ensure guidelines issued are followed.”
The bench additionally comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramainan requested the Centre to file a report on what was being accomplished to make sure that the protection protocols had been being adopted.

The plea by Jammu-based lawyer Supriya Pandita has raised questions on the position of the Centre, Delhi authorities and Delhi Police for permitting the March 2020 conference, thereby risking the well being of the folks at a time the nation was battling Covid-19. The petition additionally referred to the massive gathering of individuals eager to cross state borders at Anand Vihar Bus Terminal in the course of the lockdown and contended that satisfactory steps weren’t taken to forestall this.
The Supreme Court can also be seized of one other petition by a legislation scholar, Rishabh Sharma, who has sought a path to right away take away the farmers to a delegated place in view of the Covid-19 pandemic and hardships to commuters.