[Suo Motu Cognisance] Gujrat Government is Answerable, Says Supreme Court on Tragic Fire Incident at Rajkot COVID Hospital

Amidst the tragic hospital fire incident in Rajkot, the Supreme Court has taken a suo moto cognisance, seeking a report from the state government. 

The recurrence of such an incident in the hospital is shocking: SC 

A three-judge Bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and MR Shah showed empathy and sensitivity towards the patients that suffered because of the horrific incident. It has been reported that six COVID19 patients have lost their lives because of the fire outbreak. Further Court expressed shock over the recurring nature of the fire incident in the same hospital.

The Centre is given time till December 1, 2020, to file a response in this regard.

The Court was concerned about the fact that the authorities were not able to take sufficient steps to mitigate such incidents. The Three-Judge Bench has not only sought a response from the Gujarat Government but it has also directed the Centre to suggest the steps that can be taken by the authorities to mitigate such incidents.

Justice MR Shah pointed out that the authorities are failing to abide by the guidelines issued from time to time to ensure safety. 

"Still, the electric lines are unmanaged and not properly monitored on a regular interval which leads to such unfortunate incidents", he added.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta responded to the criticism by assuring the bench that immediate steps will be taken to address the issue.

Social distancing and masks are the need of the hour: SC

The Supreme Court pointed out that 60% of people are not wearing masks and the rest have their masks hanging on to their jawline. neither the state nor the central government is taking necessary steps.  

"In this wave of Pandemic,  people are attending marriages and political processions"- SC 

SC also expressed displeasure over the failure of the states to control the alarming rise in the number of cases. It directed all the states to prepare and implement actionable steps to fight the growing number of COVID cases.