The Supreme Court on Friday addressed the Coronavirus situation and it’s handling in Delhi. Taking a suo motu cognizance, it raised some very serious questions against the Delhi Government.
The national capital has now surpassed more than 36,000 cases with 2,000 new cases on Friday alone.
In the past few weeks, numerous reports and incidents have come into the light which indicates that the situation in Delhi has become deplorable.
The apex court bench comprising of Justices Ashok Bhushan, S K Kaul, and M R Shah said in their censure that “The situation in Delhi is horrendous, horrific and pathetic.”
It further said that “There’s a very sorry state of affairs in Delhi and inside its hospitals. Look at the treatment meted out to patients. The patients are crying and no one is looking after them. Relatives are not even informed, as reported by media, after the death of patients.”
Justice Shah cited his concerns that “If dead bodies are being treated like this, dead bodies are found in the garbage! The media has highlighted these deplorable conditions. Worse than animals people are being treated.”
Another question raised was why there is less COVID-19 testing taking place in Delhi. Justice Shah asked ASG Sanjay Jain that “Tell us why testing numbers are reducing in Delhi.”
Justice Kaul said that “We call upon the state to increase the number of testing and those who require it should not be denied it.”
The Bench also, in light of recent media reports that patients are going haywire in finding a bed, added that “There should be infrastructure, there need to be beds, patients are not being looked after, this is a deplorable state of affairs.”
Only a few hours later, the Delhi Government released a statement to clarify its stand. “The Hon’ble Supreme Court is the apex court of India and we accept their observations with the utmost respect and with absolute sincerity. The Delhi government is determined to provide healthcare for all and to ensure the best possible treatment for each COVID-19 patients. But, if any gaps still remain and are brought to our notice, we will act on them sincerely and immediately.”
Supreme Court also issued notices to the Centre as well as Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
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