The Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Sindhu Sharma, while hearing public interest litigation pertaining to spread of Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) today issued a series of directions to Government and its departments.

The entire proceedings in the matter were conducted through video conferencing and video calls. Both the Judges heard the matter from their respective residences in Jammu.

On being apprised by Amicus Curiae that about 400 pilgrims from Bihar stranded at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Katra are being asked tovacate their current lodgings, the Division Bench directed Chief ExecutiveOfficer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the Deputy Commissioner, Reasito ensure that these pilgrims are not asked to vacate their current lodgingsand their needs are fully provided till such time as the lockdown persists.

Directions were also issued to Secretary, Department ofHealth and Medical Education of both the Union Territories together with theIGP, Jammu, IGP, Kashmir and IGP, Ladakh to ensure that complete safety andsecurity is provided to the personnel who are serving at all governmentfacilities. Both UT governments were also directed to ensure that theaccommodation, healthcare and the needs of the migrant labourers, if notalready provided for, are addressed.

Taking into account the fact that despite nationwidelockdown, a large number of people are resorting to their usual strolls,loitering and morning walks in local parks etc., the Division Bench directedthe law enforcing authorities and park owning authorities (all municipalcorporations, development authorities) to prevent access to public parks, etcwhich are normally used for such purposes by the citizens.

The Ministry of External Affairs was also directed to lookinto the aspect of the evacuation of persons who are stranded and need to beevacuated to India on priority.

The Home Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir was directed to filean interim report regarding the functioning of the High Powered Committeeconstituted for the examination of the prisoners required to be released fromprisons.

The Division Bench directed Mission Director ICPS toscrutinise the estimates of Rs 33.64 lakhs for provision of the lease lineconnections to 24 locations of Juvenile Justice Boards and Observation Homessubmitted by the BSNL at an earliest. The Court was apprised that back upfacilities in the nature of inverters etc. in the JJBs have been provided sothat video conferencing on available apparatus can be conducted.

The Division Bench appreciated the manner in which theauthorities in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Ladakh,are addressing the current crisis.