SC: HC’s Were Bastions Of Ensuring Justice During COVID

CASE

The State of Manipur v. J Hillson Angam and Anr

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• This matter in the High Court was heard by the bench of Justices Lanusungkum Jamir And Kh. Nobin Singh.
• This matter in the Supreme Court was heard by the bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Vikram Nath and Hima Kohli.
• The High Court gave order to the state government to frame exhaustive rules and regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
• The Supreme Court bench called the quarantine centres of the state pathetic.

BACKGROUND OF THE CASE

• When the state government approached the High Court, the High Court directed it to form a “Committee of Experts” who can advice the government as to what necessary actions to be taken by it to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• The bench of the High Court directed that the state government should make two plans- 1) short term plan, 2) long term plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
• It was observed by the High Court that the state government was trying its best to prevent the COVID-19 crisis but there was no such information available in the public domain regarding the same.
• The High Court ordered the state government to frame exhaustive rules and regulations regarding the prevention of COVID-19, while keeping in mind all the difficulties and the complaints by the public and frame the rules and regulations accordingly.
• The bench also clarified to the state government that if they are facing any financial issues for combating COVID-19 crisis then they can ask for financial help from the Government of India.

PROCEEDINGS OF CASE IN SUPREME COURT

• The Manipur State Government filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court challenging the order of the High Court to frame the exhaustive rules and regulations.
• Justice Chandrachud orally remarked that the High Court’s order was totally justified and he further added “Our High Court's were bastions of ensuring that justice was done during the COVID 19 pandemic”.
• Justice Chandrachud further added while mentioning the conditions of the quarantine centres that they were in a pathetic condition and there were no separate washrooms for male and female and the healthcare workers did not change the beddings frequently.

JUDGEMENT GIVEN BY THE SUPREME COURT

• The Supreme Court refused to accept the special leave petition filed by the Manipur state government under Article 136 of Constitution of India.
• The Special Leave Petition was dismissed and any pending applications shall stand disposed of.

HOPE YOU FIND THE ARTICLE INFORMATIVE

1) Do you think any actions shall be taken against the state government for risking people’s lives?
2) The leave petition was filed under which article?