Judicial Intervention in tackling the COVID-19 outbreak in India

On 30^th January, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 (also known as ‘Coronavirus’) in India was reported from the state of Kerala. By the first week of March, 2020 the reported number of positive cases were 40 and by the auspicious festival of Holi the same jumped to 62 cases and unfortunately at present over 6400 cases have been reported. While day by day the numbers of cases are continuing to increase, India has a relatively lower number of active cases in comparison to various other countries. While observing the rapidly increasing number of cases and deaths, which spread like wildfire across the European Countries and the United States of America and considering the population of our Country and the devastation that COVID- 19 could cause, it was time for the Government to take strict action and ensure that preventive measures be implemented.

 

Although, in view of the preliminary information about the causes for spread of the disease, the availability of Sanitizers etc. in Court Premises was ensured by the respective Courts, from the first working day of March, 2020, an official announcement was made vide Office Memorandum dated 05.03.2020 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issuing an advisory on ‘Mass Gatherings etc.’ and the respective states to take action accordingly. It was however, not clarified what falls under the category of ‘Mass Gatherings etc.’ leading to wide circulation of various forged and doctored notifications across social media which could not be prevented. However, official clarifications were thereafter issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

 

On 11.03.2020, the Disaster Management Division of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government Of India [GOI] passed an order exercising powers conferred under Section 69 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and delegated powers under Clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 10(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to the Secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI for containment of the spread of COVID-19. 

 

ACTION TAKEN TO DECONGEST COURTS

 

It is pertinent to mention at this stage that all Courts across India were fully functional including various Tribunals, although various self-prevention measures were undertaken by most of the lawyers. On the very same day i.e. 11.03.2020, Section 2 of a British Era law, The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, which was first enacted to tackle bubonic plague in Mumbai (Bombay), emphasizing on implementation of containment measures to control the spread of the disease was invoked. The scope of the act is as short as the whole act containing only 4 sections bereft of details. The act had been previously used in India for combating diseases like the Swine Flu, Cholera, Malaria and Dengue in the past 10-12 years. The Act empowers the Central as well as the State Governments to take measures for containment of the disease and to promulgate interim measures including inspection of suspected and vulnerable patients, inspection of ships and vessels at the ports of the territories by public notice. Under Section 3 of the Act, any person disobeying any regulation or order made under this Act shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. While Section 4 of the Act further indemnifies the authorities or any other person from any suit or legal proceedings in view of ‘anything’ done in good faith under the Act. The term ‘good faith’ has not been defined under the Act and hence it will soon be up for interpretation before various courts of Law owing to the economic slowdown during this period and non-compliance / non-performance of various contractual obligations. The same however is not relevant for the purposes of the present article and is thus not being dwelt into any deeper.   

 

In view of the above, the Legal Fraternity took quick and decisive action in as much as apart from initially ensuring the quick dispensing of Sanitizers in the Court premises numerous advisories were issued from time to time to prevent the spread of the disease in the court premises. This article primarily deals with the various actions taken by Courts to ensure safety its citizens as well as to protect their fundamental rights during this unprecedented lockdown.

 

The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India taking cognizance of the COVID-19 breakout deemed it imperative that mass congregation should be avoided and issued directions on 13.03.2020 that it’s functioning would be restricted to urgent matters only and prohibiting the entry of legal interns and only allowing one lawyer along with one litigant to be gathered in the Court premises. The urgent matters were directed to be mentioned before the Mentioning officer and cooperation with court staff was requested. The aforesaid directions passed by the Hon’ble Apex Court led to various courts following suit and limiting its functioning to safeguard the public health at large and it was further resolved that only matters of urgent nature would be taken up by the Courts. Initially there was no notification with regards to what was to be considered urgent in view of the present scenario however over time the same was also clarified.

 

In fact, in M/s. Keshavlal & Company versus The State of Maharashtra and Ors., filed before the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay, Justice K.K. Tated vide order dated 26.03.2020, imposed cost of Rs. 25,000/- on the Petitioner for getting a matter listed, seeking stay on an order passed by the Drugs Department, State of Maharashtra in view of stay passed previously in the connected matters which was deemed not of an ‘urgent nature’ by the Hon’ble Court.

 

In view of the directions passed by the various Courts, all day to day matters listed in regular course on various dates already provided came to a standstill up to 31.03.2020 and a review meeting was required to be held in respective courts and bar associations across the nation for further required action.

 

On 23.03.2020, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India was pleased to take suo-moto cognizance of the difficulty faced by the litigants and lawyers in complying with the timelines as per law and therefore passed orders extending the period of limitation in all matters irrespective of the limitation prescribed under law. The same was also followed by all the subordinate Courts and Tribunals.

 

By way of a few examples, further in the wake of  the Nationwide lockdown  for 21 days from 25.03.2020,the bench comprising of Hon’ble Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi, Hon’ble Justice Sidharth Mridul, Hon’ble Justice Talwant Singh taking suo-moto cognizance on 25.03.2020 passed an order directing that all matters before the High Court as well as the subordinate courts, wherein  interim orders issued were subsisting as on 16.03.2020 and/or expired or expiring stood extended till 15.05.2020 or until further orders except where any orders to the contrary have been passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India during the intervention period provided that if any party suffers hardship of extreme nature, it would be at liberty to seek appropriate relief as advised.

 

Further vide circular dated 25.03.2020; the functioning of Delhi High Court was suspended till 15.04.2020 and fresh dates for the matters fixed was announced. Similarly, the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay on 26.03.2020 issued directions for continuance of all interim orders to remain in force till 30.04.2020 which also applied to the subordinate courts under its jurisdiction. It was further ordered by the Hon’ble Court that any orders or decree for eviction, dispossession, demolition already passed by any Court/ Tribunal/Authority shall also remain in abeyance till 30.04.2020.

 

In fact, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India resolved vide notification dated 29.03.2020  that the 21 days period of lockdown would not be counted in the time lines contained in these regulations for any purpose of the any activity that could not be completed due to the lockdown. The National Company Appeal Law Appellate Tribunal passed a suo-moto order dated 30.03.2020 wherein the 21 day lockdown period was excluded for the purpose of counting the period for ‘Resolution Process’ under Section 12 of the IBC, 2016 in all cases where CIRP has been initiated. It was further ordered that all interim orders/stays passed by the Appellate Tribunal stand extended till the next date of hearing.

 

That on 06.04.2020, Guidelines were formulated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, to facilitate containment of COVID-19 while ensuring that the course of Justice is not disrupted and in exercise of its power under Article 142 of the Constitution of India, have passed the following directions:

 

1.   Measures to be taken by the Hon’ble Apex Court as well as the High Courts to reduce physical presence of all stakeholders within court premises to maintain social distancing.

2.   The Hon’ble Apex Court and the High Courts are authorized to adopt measures required to ensure the robust functioning of judicial system through video conferencing technologies.

3.   The High Courts are authorized to determine the modalities which are suitable to the temporary transition to the use of the video conferencing technologies as per the peculiarities of judicial system in every state.

4.   Concerned Court halls to maintain a helpline to ensure that any complaint in regard to the quality or audibility of feed shall be communicated during the proceeding or immediately after its conclusion failing which no grievance shall be entertained.

5.   District Courts in each state are directed to adopt mode of video conferencing prescribed by the concerned High Court.

6.   The Court should duly notify and duly make available the facilities for video conferencing for such litigants who do not have means or access to the same. Even Amicus Curiae can be appointed to make video conferencing available to such an advocate.

7.   Until appropriate rules are framed by the respective High Courts, video conferencing shall be mainly employed for hearing arguments whether at the trial stage or at the appellate stage. In no case any evidence be recorded without the mutual consent of both the parties by video conferencing. Incase evidence being is recorded in Court premises appropriate distance be maintained between those present. 

8.   The presiding officer is empowered to restrict entry of persons into the Court room or the points from which the arguments are addressed by the advocates. No prohibition on entry of any party unless they are suffering from an infectious illness. However the number of litigants can be restricted by the presiding officer.

 

Whereas, the Hon’ble High Court of Telangana resolved in a video conference meeting on 07.04.2020 it has been informed vide press release dated 07.04.2020 that the Courts will continue to function in the summer break which stands cancels throughout May, 2020 till 05.06.2020. Only matters related to Bail, stay applications and PILs will be taken up till the review of the situation on 25.04.2020. Similarly, the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, has also resolved to make up for the loss of court hours by passing directions for full functioning of the Hon’ble High Court and the subordinate courts during the entire month of June, 2020 which would otherwise be court vacations.

 

EFFORTS TO PROTECT INTERESTS OF EFFECTED PERSONS

 

It is imperative to now understand the economic drawbacks of a situation such as the present, especially for those who are at a financial disadvantage than others and for the non-essential sectors which have been stopped in their entirety due to the lockdown. In a nutshell the lockdown meant no place of work, no income, no job security, no free movement, leading to separation from family or loved ones, lack of food, shelter or basic amenities for many and above all the threat of contracting the disease.

 

Thus, apart from protecting the interests of the citizens at large, the legal fraternity has also endeavoured to protect its own. The Kerala High Court Advocates Association (KHCAA) has introduced the KHCAA Junior Lawyer’s Welfare Scheme 2020 to provide financial assistance to the Junior Lawyers not above the age of 35 years having practiced for less than 7 years with a maximum of Rs. 7,500/- as per the mode and manner mentioned in the scheme. The Karnataka State Bar Council also established the Karnataka State Bar Council – COVID-19 Advocates Relief Fund to aid the needy advocates across the state. The Bombay Bar Association (BBA) has also resolved to provide financial assistance to the members with the help of the Bombay Bar Association Trust. Similar initiatives have been taken by Bar Council of Delhi as well as the Delhi High Court Bar Association. Infact, the Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) had circulated a Whatsapp message wherein lawyers who need financial assistance may reach out to him.

 

While Sanitizers and N-95 masks were being stocked by the public, advisories were issued by the Government for disinfecting the Public Transport(s) including private school buses. Public awareness measures were undertaken with effect from the second week of March, 2020, prohibition of bio-metric attendance etc. Social Distancing emerged as the one and only effective solution to prevent the spread of the outbreak. Therefore, various restrictions were imposed by the State Governments to avoid public gathering with a limit of 50 persons (in case of a wedding or funeral). The NCT of Delhi, State of Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala, Kolkata were amongst the first states to impose Regulations in view of the powers conferred upon them. By 12.03.2020, NCT of Delhi amidst the on-going Anti-CAA protests and just recovering from the recent riots, taking the lead announced that with immediate effect closing down of cinema halls, Schools, Colleges, Tuition Centers, Coaching Centers till 31.03.2020 with the only exception to conduct final term examination and board exams. With the positive cases spreading, it was deemed necessary for containment of the situation by imposing a complete lockdown in the NCT of Delhi, the State of Maharashtra, the State of Punjab amongst others on 23.03.2020 till 31.03.2020 and even sealing the borders with the neighbouring States. However, as already mentioned above, a national lockdown was announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 24.03.2020 thereby a ban on people from leaving their homes, closure of all commercial and private establishments barring the essential services, closure of all religious institutions, closing down of malls, restaurants, prohibition of public gathering of any form (20 persons allowance for funerals and congregations) and suspension of non-essential public and private transport.

 

There was thus an obvious snowball effect to such a country wide lockdown and various obstacles were bound to come in the way of fighting this pandemic. One such difficulty faced was the inter-state migration of labourers due to the complete stoppage of work in majority of the sectors of the country. The same became a red alert for the community spread of the disease.  A Public Interest Litigation [PIL] was filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India titled Alakh Alok Srivastava versus Union of India, calling for immediate action to safeguard the rights of migrant workers and avoid the situation where they are deprived basic essentials like food, shelter, water and medical aid. It was highlighted by the Solicitor General of India that the Government has taken measures to ensure the safety and welfare of the migrant workers and various relief packages and schemes have been formulated to ensure the lower strata of the society do not suffer. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India being satisfied with the status report filed by the Union of India attributed the panic situation being triggered due to some fake/misleading news and social media.

 

The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India vide order dated 31.03.2020 considering the submissions made by both the sides, held that Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, provides for punishment of a person who makes or circulates false alarm or warning as to disaster or its severity or magnitude, leading to panic and such person shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India also urged media to maintain strong sense of responsibility and ensure that unverified news capable of causing panic is not disseminated. It was further emphasized, that anxiety and fear of the migrants should be understood by the Police and local authorities and they should deal with migrants in a humane manner and treat them with kindness.

 

Similarly, in the High Court of Kerala, a Petition is filed by Adv. Parvathy Sanjay, the Amicus Curiae appointed by the Hon’ble Court  on  31.03.2020,  wherein the apprehension of  the welfare migrant workers of Ernakulam District and Kottayam District has been raised, the Hon’ble Court taking cognizance of the same, has directed the State of Kerala to file a detailed statement with respect to the actions taken to provide food and shelter for the migrants not only confining to the districts but all over the State of Kerala.  

 

While the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India already enshrined upon the roles and responsibilities of Media, the Jamait Ulama- I- Hind an organization of Islamic Scholars has moved the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India seeking strict action against the Media for communalization of the Tablighi Jamaat meeting in Delhi’s Nizaamuddin Markaz. It has been pleaded by the Petitioners that the aforesaid case has been portrayed by media as some sort of religion based conspiracy to spread the COVID-19 virus in India which has resulted in flaring and fanning of communal sentiments at such a sensitive time posing serious threats to life and liberty of a particular religion across India. The Petitioners have prayed for directions to the Ministry of Broadcasting and Information to identify and take strict actions against those sections of Media for communalizing the issue and to adhere to the directions passed the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India dated 31.03.2020 in letter and spirit.

 

For the sake of convenience of the public and in order to avoid panic and deprive the citizens of basic amenities, Essential Services (goods and services) were exempted from the lockdown in view of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The Guidelines with regards to measures taken by the Government including the list of essential services exempted was published on 24.03.2020 vide order no. 40-3/2020-D. These included ration shops, dealing with food, groceries, fruits, vegetables, poultry and meat, animal fodder, banks, Police, home guard, Civil Defence, Electronic media and print, Telecommunication, Broadcasting and IT services, Petroleum and LPG, Electricity, water, private security services, Capital and Debt Market services as notified by SEBI, Fire, Law and Order emergency services, Industrial establishments related to manufacturing of essential commodities.

 

While the sudden lockdown announced on 24.03.2020 created a situation wherein the public was compelled to practice nothing but social distancing led to the markets being crowded with people recklessly stocking up the essentials to equip themselves for the 21 day lockdown. The respective administrative bodies resorted to strict action against those violating the basic norms of social distancing and self-quarantine. The aforesaid situation not only, endangered the public at large but also led to shortage of groceries, lack of man power and the smooth functioning of affairs. It further led the public to seek assistance of the judiciary in many instances like permission for movement during the lockdown, shortages of protective medical gear, protection against circulation of fake news regarding the virus, rights of the migrants suffering due to the lockdown amongst others.

 

Troubles faced due to the National Lockdown  affected not only  the humans but other living beings/animals and the courts have come to the aid of them as well in a remarkable judgment passed by the  Hon’ble High Court of Kerala, on  06.04.2020 in a Writ Petition filed by the Petitioner aggrieved by denial of online pass to buy biscuits for his pet Cat during the lockdown period, Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambair and Justice Shaji P. Chaly, it was rightly held that ‘animal feed and fodder’ is included in the list of  ‘essential items’ in respect of which the movement is permitted and in facts of the case, directed the Respondents to permit the Petitioner to travel to the Pet hospital to procure food for his pet. The balanced compassion towards the rights of animals is reflected in this judgement.

 

Unfortunately, even the Healthcare Sector has been facing difficulties while dealing directly with the patients, and the same was also brought up before the Hon’ble High Court of Andhra Pradesh In Dr. Koilagnadla Niranjan versus UOI and Ors.,  wherein directions were sought against the competent authorities of the Central and the State Government to supply precautionary equipment along the lines of N-95 masks, sterile medical gloves, starch apparels to all Doctors, Nurses, Ward Boys and Staff concerned within 24 hours. The Hon’ble Hon’ble High Court made observations that the State Government should ensure availability of the necessary equipment and that the accessories are provided to the Doctors, Nurses and Paramedical Staff as they are in frontline of this battle against the virus. In  Jerryl Banait versus UOI & Anr,, a bench comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide order dated 08.04.2020, has directed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to ensure availability of appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)  including sterile medical gloves, starch apparels, medical masks, goggles, face shield, respirators, shoe covers, head covers and coveralls to all  health workers including Doctors, Nurses, Ward Boys and other medical and paramedical professionals actively attending to and treating the patients in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The Satte Governments were also directed to ensure necessary action is taken against the persons who obstruct and commit any offence in respect to performance of duties by Doctors, Medical Staff and other Government Officials deputed to contain the pandemic.

 

The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India In Shahshank Deo Sudhi versus UOI, on 08.04.2020 passed a remarkable order directing the tests relating to COVID -19 in Government Laboratories and Private Laboratories be made free of cost and directions in this regard should be issued by the UOI immediately and it was also held that tests should be carried out only in NABL accredited labs or any other agency approved by WHO or ICMR.

Apart from the above, the various High Courts have also protected the interests of various inmates and under trials in various prisons across the country and to avoid overcrowding have identified certain categories of persons who would be entitled to parole and/or furlough in view of the COVID-19 outbreak and to decongest the prisons in view of the social distancing protocols applicable as on date.

 

There are many more similar efforts taken by various High Courts and the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on almost a daily basis to ensure that by way of judicial interference the basic rights of the citizens as well as living beings are protected. We are only in the 17^th day of the lockdown and there is no clarity as to whether the lockdown would come to an end after 21 days, however, the Judiciary being one of the branches of the Indian Government continues to protect and uphold the fundamental rights of citizens as enshrined in the Constitution of India. 

 

In conclusion, a great challenge lies ahead of all of us and in times like these utmost empathy must be shown by every individual as the situation has deeply and equally impacted all sections of the society, and full cooperation should be extended by the Citizens as well as the Administration in order to defeat this disease and gracefully emerge from the Pandemic.

 

The Judiciary has set a great example for young lawyers such as us to ensure that we should do whatever we can in our power to assist and enable the society to tackle the day to day hardships it may face due to the drastic but necessary measure of this complete lockdown of the country.

 

Author:

Shivangi Dham

Associate at Vedya Partners

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shivangi Dham Shivangi is an associate at Vedya Partners, she is a Civil Litigation Lawyer, who regularly appears before various forums in Delhi ranging from the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, Sessions and District Courts, TDSAT and NCDRC,, she is highly skilled in Drafting, Legal Advice, Legal Assistance and Legal Research.