Issuing notices to the state government and cabinet minister Satpal Maharaj, the Uttarakhand high court has asked why no action can be taken for violation of guidelines by those occupying constitutional posts when cases are lodged against general citizens for violating quarantine regulations. The division bench of chief justice Ramesh Ranganathan and justice RC Khulbe asked this question while hearing a public interest litigation filed regarding alleged violation of quarantine rules by the cabinet minister who recently tested positive for Covid-19.
Dehradun resident Umesh Kumar had filed the PIL contending that the Dehradun district magistrate and chief medical officer had pasted a notice on the residence of Maharaj directing home quarantine from May 20 to June 3. The petitioner contended that the minister had violated the quarantine rules and had attended cabinet meetings. The petitioner said that after Maharaj tested positive for Covid-19, other cabinet ministers had to go under self-imposed quarantine. Stating that cases are registered against common citizens for violating quarantine, the petitioner has sought that the minister also be booked under the Disaster Management Act for the violation. The court issued notices to the State government and Maharaj, seeking their response within three weeks.