Jailing official won’t bring oxygen; give a plan by tomorrow: SC to Centre

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed contempt proceedings initiated by Delhi High Court against central government officials for non-compliance of direction to supply 700 metric tonnes (MT) of oxygen for Covid-19 patients, saying "putting officers in jail" would not bring oxygen and efforts should be made to save lives.

The SC conducted urgent hearing on the Centre's plea against the HC show-cause notice on contempt and an order seeking personal appearance of its two senior officials for failing to comply with the directions to ensure supply of 700 MT liquid medical oxygen (LMO) to Delhi.

"Ultimately putting officers in jail and hauling them up for contempt will not help. There should be a spirit of cooperation and the lives of people are at stake... Nobody can dispute that people are not dying, that the Centre isn't doing anything..."

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah made clear that it was not stopping the HC from monitoring Covid-19 management issues. It also asked the Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tuhar Mehta and Additional SG Aishwarya Bhati, to place before it a plan - in chart form - indicating the manner in which it would comply with the order asking it to supply 700 MT LMO to Delhi. Seeking the report by Thursday 10.30 am, the SC said it should also indicate the sources of supply, provision for transportation and "logistical arrangements necessary".

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