Notice To Centre, Madhya Pradesh Government Over Petition On Covid Spread

The High Court also issued notices to the Election Commission of India and the State Election Commission on the petitioner PC Paliwal's contention.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday issued notices to the Union and state governments on a petition seeking direction to "prosecute and punish" the persons responsible for the coronavirus spread in the central Indian state. The High Court also issued notices to the Election Commission of India and the State Election Commission on the petitioner PC Paliwal's contention that top politicians and political workers from Madhya Pradesh participated in the electioneering for the Damoh assembly bypoll and elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerela and Puducherry "without caring for a face mask and social distancing". A division bench of Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Atul Shreedharan heard the petition virtually. Shortage of medical oxygen and medicines, black marketing of anti-viral drug Remdesivir, insufficient infrastructure in hospitals, dead bodies waiting for their turn for hours for last rites in crematoriums in Jabalpur and other parts of Madhya Pradesh are some of the points that Mr Paliwal, a lawyer and one of the petitioners, sought to draw the high court's attention.