SC seeks Kerala govt's reply on plea against state's decision to ease restrictions ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

New Delhi, July 19: Supreme Court has asked the Kerala Government to file its response by the end of the day to the plea challenging the Kerala Govt's decision to relax lockdown restrictions in view upcoming Bakrid festival. It also directed the registry to list the matter for hearing on July 20.

 

 

The Bench headed by Justice RF Nariman has asked Kerala to file its response today itself and said the matter will be heard on Tuesday.

 

 

At the outset, senior advocate Vikas Singh appearing for petitioner PKD Nambiar who has filed an intervention application against the Kerala government's decision to relax restrictions told the Bench that Kerala has the highest cases in the country today.

The application cited news reports and said that the Kerala government is ready to sacrifice the lives of innocent citizens by relaxing restrictions. It stated that despite the discontentment of the Supreme Court over Kanwar Yatra, the Kerala government is acting casually by relaxing restrictions to the utter dismay of India's citizens.

 

 

 

 

"It is shocking that in a medical emergency, the government is playing with the lives of citizens through such measures… Government of Kerala is ready to sacrifice the health and life of innocent citizens during this critical situation," the application filed on behalf of PKD Nambiar through Advocate Preeti Singh states at the outset.

 

 

"The political interest and cause cannot overcome the fundamental rights of the citizens of this Nation. The said act of the Government of Kerala is nothing but politically motivated, moreover, the said decision is totally contrary to the observation and the spirit qua which this Hon'ble Court has shown its concern over the present pitiable situation of this Nation," the application stated.

 

 It is also pointed out that the impugned decision was taken by the Kerala Government merely a day after the Prime Minister called for caution due to "increasing numbers (of Covid positive cases) in Kerala and Maharashtra".

 

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Advocate G Prakash appearing for the Kerala government told the apex court that only some shops have been opened in Kerala. Lockdown has been lifted squarely for this reason in some areas for facilitating the festival otherwise all norms for COVID-19 are strictly followed, said the counsel.

 

This development comes after Indian Medical Association wrote to the Kerala govt and demanded the withdrawal of its order immediately and enforce zero-tolerance against appropriate covid behaviors. The CPM-led state government has decided to relax lockdown restrictions for three days from Sunday because of the Bakrid festival.