A Division Bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Suraj Govindaraj ordered that no rallies, dharnas or political gatherings of any sort should be permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the hearing of the matter on Wednesday, the Court had come down on heavily on both the Congress Party and BJP led government for the rally held by the former at Mekedatu amidst COVID-19 surge.
The Court had questioned the the COVID protocol compliance in a padayatra the Congress party was conducting. It had asked the respondents to answer by today whether requisite permissions were taken.
On the government’s counsel informing today that the padayatra has been suspended, the Bench asked if any government orders were issued regarding the rallies of other political parties.
The Court noted the objection of the petitioner of the padayatra only being temporarily suspended and, therefore, stated in its order that the State should strictly follow its SOP in all districts.
The Court also made it clear that no such rallies should be permitted during the pandemic.
Source: Barandbench
