Gujarat: HC turn downs govt's proposal to reduce mask violation fine

High Court bench comprising Justices Bela Trivedi and Bhargav Karia said the court will decide on this request once 50 per cent of the state's population is vaccinated against COVID-19.

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Friday (July 2) turned down the state government's proposal to reduce the penalty for not wearing a mask in public amid the coronavirus outbreak from Rs 1,000 at present to Rs 500 saying some form of deterrence must remain to stem the spread of the virus. When Advocate General Kamal Trivedi insisted on a reduction in the fine amount, the High Court bench comprising Justices Bela Trivedi and Bhargav Karia said the court will decide on this request once 50 per cent of the state's population is vaccinated against COVID-19. The special bench was hearing a suo motu PIL along with a set of connected petitions regarding the coronavirus situation in the state.