Madras HC says EC allowed political parties to take out rallies hat led to spread of the virus, adds that poll officials ‘should probably be booked on murder charges’
Burning pyres of COVID-19 victims at a cremation ground in New Delhi on Monday. Pic/AFP
The Madras High Court on Monday castigated the Election Commission over the COVID-19 second wave in the country, holding it ‘singularly’ responsible for the spread, called it the ‘the most irresponsible institution’ and even said its officials should probably be booked for murder. The EC allowing political parties to take out rallies and meetings had led to the spread of the virus, the HC said.
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Social distancing violation continues unabated at a public meeting of actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty and party candidate Anirban Ganguly, at Nachansa in Birbhum, West Bengal, on Monday. Pic/AFP
The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy made the stinging observation while hearing a public interest writ from Karur AIADMK candidate and Transport Minister M R Vijayabaskar for the April 6 Assembly polls. Their petition sought a direction to the authorities to ensure fair counting of votes on May 2 in Karur by taking effective steps and proper arrangements with COVID-19 protocols. Chief Justice Banerjee warned that the court will stop the counting of votes on May 2 if a blueprint to follow COVID-19 protocol is not put in place.
On Sunday, Tamil Nadu reported 15,000 new cases.
Elections had been held in four states — Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and West Bengal and the union territory of Puducherry. While voting is over in all the other states, the eighth and last phase in West Bengal is scheduled on April 29.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the HC’s observations. She also demanded withdrawal of central forces to contain COVID-19 spread in West Bengal in the next phase of polling “I welcome the Madras High Court order, which clearly said the EC cannot escape its responsibility. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EC are responsible for the (current) situation (of COVID spreading in the state),” she said.
A COVID victim’s kin cry in New Delhi, on Monday. Pic/PTI
K’taka shuts down; forces rope in retirees
>> The Karnataka government on Monday announced a ‘close down’ across the state for 14 days from Tuesday night in a bid to control the huge spike in cases. Shops selling essential commodities can remain open only from 6 am to 10 am. The state cabinet also decided to provide COVID-19 vaccinations free of cost at government hospitals for those aged between 18 and 44 years.
>> All medical personnel of the armed forces who have retired or have taken pre-mature retirement in the past two years are being recalled to work in COVID-19 facilities within proximity of their present place of residence, the government said on Monday.
>> Five COVID-19 patients died at a private hospital in Hisar, Haryana, on Monday. Their relatives held a protest, claiming they died due to grave shortage of medical oxygen at the facility. Police said they were verifying the allegations. The hospital administration was not available for comments.
>> The Supreme Court on Monday decided to advance its summer vacation, which will now commence from May 8 in view of sudden surge in COVID-19 cases.
>> Former finance secretary S C Garg on Monday said the fresh wave and consequent local lockdowns may bring down the economic growth to below 10 per cent in the current fiscal. Earlier this month, International Monetary Fund projected an impressive 12.5 per cent growth rate for India in 2021. The Economic Survey projected a growth rate of 11 per cent, while RBI retained its forecast at 10.5 per cent for the ongoing fiscal year.
1,73,13,163
Total no. of coronavirus cases in India so far
1,95,123
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far
1,43,04,382
Total no. of patients recovered and discharged in India so far
14,19,11,223
(Total no. of people vaccinated so far)
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