Centre, 4 States asked to take preventive steps as per requirement, HC closes suo moto PIL over Covid

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has closed a suo moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which was initiated in 2021 in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic, on the ground that the situation is under control in the States under the court's jurisdiction - Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

After hearing the submissions made by the counsels representing these four States, a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice RM Chhaya, Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak observed that various interim orders were passed in the matter. It further noted that the counsels have apprised the Bench that currently the Covid-19 situation in the States of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh is completely under control and that the number of Covid cases in these Stats is negligible.

"Learned counsels appearing for the States of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have assured this Court that all the States shall adhere to the SOPs, if any, issued from time to time by the

respective States as well as the Union of India in relation to Covid-19 situation...In light of the aforesaid and considering the fact that the Covid-19 pandemic has almost subsided, no further orders are required to be passed in this PIL... The Union of India as well as the States of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh shall take all necessary steps, if required, to curb any further spread of Covid-19 cases in their respective States and shall also provide all facilities, as are

envisaged under the different interim orders passed by this Court in this PIL.

"With the above directions we deem it fit to close the present suo moto PIL proceedings," the Division Bench concluded.

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