The Supreme Court on Thursday granted a stay on Gujarat High Court’s order which directed the State to frame a policy that would direct those caught without wearing mask to compulsorily do community service in a COVID care centre.
The Supreme Court remarked that while wearing masks are compulsory for one’s safety, a direction such a this could lead to health problem. The apex court further remarked that those who do not wear masks should be penalised.
The order was passed by a Bench comprising of Jusices Ashok Bhushan, Subhash Reddy and M.R.Shah, the special leave petition was filed against the order of Gujarat High Court that was passed yesterday.
The Gujarat High Court passed this order on December 2 after the State government would not introduce community service for violators of social distancing and for those who do not wear mask.
The Supreme Court Thursday stayed the Gujarat High Court direction to send people caught without wearing masks to do community service at the COVID-19 patient care facilities.https://t.co/7RgvGDPQar
— Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) December 3, 2020
The Bench while taking a note of this in the order recorded said that “stand of the State is unfortunate considering that it is the State which should act in the most proactive manner in such times. The stand of the state has left us with no other option but to issue certain directions considering the gravity and enormity of the situation.”
Edited by S.N.Thyagarajan
Source- Live Law