Apex court asks Centre, States to file status report in 2 days on steps taken to deal with situation; Maha told to be prepared for worst in Dec  

The Supreme Court on Monday said that the Covid-19 situation has worsened in Delhi and gone out of control in Gujarat even as it warned Maharashtra to be prepared for the worst in December. Expressing concern over the surge in number of Covid-19 cases across the country, the court asked the Centre and all States to file within two days status reports detailing the steps taken to deal with the situation.

“Things have worsened in Delhi especially in November. You file a status report on what steps have been taken,” a Bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan told Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, who was appearing for the Delhi Government.

“In Gujarat, the situation is going out of control,” said the Bench, also comprising Justices RS Reddy and MR Shah.

“There is spike in cases and this is only November. Prepare for the worst in December. You have to take steps,” the Bench told the lawyer appearing for Maharashtra.

The Bench was hearing a matter regarding the need for proper treatment of Covid-19 patients and dignified handling of dead bodies in the hospitals. It has posted the matter for further hearing on November 27.

The court pointed out that Covid-19 cases have risen across the country especially in Delhi, Maharashtra and Gujarat and noted the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who said steps are being taken to deal with the situation in Delhi.

Jain told the Bench that as per earlier order of the SC, an expert committee has been constituted and other directions have also been complied with by the Delhi Government.

He said that a separate space has been earmarked for the cremation of 385 bodies.

“We have no difficulty that you have complied with orders of this court. But looking at the present situation, what else are you doing,” the Bench observed and asked Jain to file a status report.

The apex court also questioned the Gujarat Government over its policy of marriage celebration during the pandemic time, saying cases are rising there and the situation has worsened in the State after Delhi and Maharashtra.

“After Delhi and Maharashtra situation in Gujarat has also worsened. What is that you are allowing marriage celebration during day time? You file an affidavit on the status report on steps taken as on date,” the SC said.

At the outset, Mehta said the matter is related to the handling of dead bodies and it is “painful that the court has to deal with this issue.”

“It was only part of the order. It relates to the hospital situation also,” the Bench observed.

In the June 19 order, the apex court had directed the Centre and States to set up an expert panel for effective monitoring, supervision and guidance of Government and Covid-dedicated hospitals for providing proper healthcare to patients.

It had directed the Centre to bring uniformity in charges of testing and other facilities and ordered it to constitute an expert committee of senior doctors of Central Government hospitals, GNCTD run hospitals, AIIMS and the responsible officer from the Union Health Ministry.

It had said that the expert committee shall inspect, supervise and issue necessary directions to all Government hospitals, Covid hospitals and other hospitals in NCT of Delhi for taking care of Covid patients and the panel shall ensure that at least one visit in each hospital is done weekly.

The top court had further directed that all States shall constitute an expert team of doctors and other experts for inspection, supervision and guidance of Government hospitals and other hospitals dedicated to Covid-19 in each State.

It had said that the team may inspect, supervise the hospitals in the State and issue necessary directions for the improvement to the concerned hospital and report to the Government.

The court had also issued directions with regard to the patient care and said, “All Covid-dedicated hospitals shall permit one willing attendant of the patient in the hospital premise, who can remain in an area earmarked by the hospital”.