The Supreme Court on Friday told the Centre that there should no clampdown on COVID-19 SOS and warnings, it also warned states and DGPs that any such action would be considered contempt of court. The word came from the Supreme Court bench of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Nageswara Rao. The bench was hearing a Suo Moto case regarding the COVID-19 issues such as oxygen supply, drug supply and vaccination policy.
The bench in reference to the actions taken against those who have been actively putting SOS messages on social media said, “We want to make it very clear that if citizens communicate their grievance on social media and internet then it cannot be said its wrong information. We don’t want any clampdown of information. We will treat it as a contempt of court if such grievances is considered for action.”
Moreover, the Bench of the top court also said, “Let a strong message go to all the states and DGP of states.”
It should be noted that many states have been raising alarming flags regarding lack of oxygen and essential COVID-19 medicines. The national capital has been the worst hit as it has been losing people left and right due to lack of oxygen. At such a time, influencers and netizens have been taking to social media and posting links to real-time information on the availability of such resources.
However, the Yogi Adityanath led UP govt has a mind of its own as it earlier announced a decision to prosecute those who have been raising “false alarms” on social media. UP CM Adityanath himself claimed that there is no shortage of oxygen in his state’s private or govt. COVID-19 hospital and those who will be “spreading rumours” on Twitter, Facebook or any social media platform will be prosecuted under the National Security Act.
Centre has special responsibility towards needs of Delhi citizens
In its hearing, the Apex Court also observed that the Centre has a special responsibility towards the needs of Delhi citizens.
Justice D. Y. Chandrachud observed that, “Delhi represents the nation and there is hardly any one ethnically Delhite…You have a special responsibility as the Centre. As a national authority which has a responsibility to the national capital you are answerable to the citizens.”
In the matter regarding lack of oxygen in Delhi, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented Centre, claimed that Delhi has no oxygen shortage, but due to inadequate lifting of oxygen, there is shortage in oxygen availibility.
“You have to push through since you save lives”: SC to SG Mehta
To this the Supreme Court bench observed that the against the 700 MT demand that was raised by Delhi govt, the Centre had allocated only 490 MT of oxygen. The SC took notice of the fact that more than 500 people have died in just 5 days and the Centre needs to take immediate steps to improve the situation.
“Forget about someone not lifting oxygen. You have to push through since you save lives Mr. Solicitor. You have a special responsibility as the Centre,” the SC bench observed.
“We don’t want political bickering during a pandemic”: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court also urged the Delhi govt to not give in to “political bickering” and work side by side the Centre government during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Politics is at the time of elections. There has to a sense of cooperation. A spirit of dialogue. Saving lives is the priority,” the Bench noted.
During the suo moto hearing, the Bench also asked the Centre whether it has developed any mechanism that on real time updates on oxygen allocation. Moreover, it also asked the Centre just how much oxygen will be provided to the states in need.
“Our hearing must make a difference. Tell us how much oxygen will be made available to critical states?” the Bench asked. To this the Solicitor General told the Supreme Court that currently a virtual room is under work which will be used to monitor the needs of oxygen to states.
