HC takes cognizance of crowd at minister Bhumre’s programme

Aurangabad, May 12:

The Employment Guarantee Scheme minister Sandeepan Bhumre inaugurated several development works at Devgaon in Paithan tehsil in the presence of several activists and villagers despite the curfew orders in the district to stop the spread of the Corona pandemic. Lokmat Times published this news with photo on May 8. The Aurangabad Division Bench of Bombay High Court took cognizance of this event. The bench comprising justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justive B U Debalwad on Wednesday orders to ban all the public programmes in this difficult times. The bench also question about the action taken regarding this incident which breached the IPC, disaster management Act and epidemic prevention Act and the government’s guidelines. On behalf of the government, it was told that a case has been filed in this regard. However, on the basis of the FIR, it was found that cases were registered against the concerned people except minister Bhumre.

Regarding the helmet compulsion, action should be taken against ACP Suresh Wankhede for the contempt of the court or action by the commissioner of police (government) before the retirement of ACP Wankhede. Out of these two options, which is accepted, ACP Wankhede should submit the reply on May 13, the bench directed.

The bench also asked whether the government vehicles not used presently can be used as ambulances for the transportation of the Corona patients from the rural areas to the nearest Corona Centres.

The guidelines and measures to stop the spread of the Corona pandemic is not followed at the Shahgunj and City Chowk areas. The bench took cognizance of the photos published in the newspapers that not a single policeman was present to control such a huge mob. The bench clarified that the help of the state reserve police or the home guard can be taken if the police force is inadequate.

The registration of the new vehicles will not be held at the dealers. The dealer should not handover the vehicle to the purchaser if he does not provide the receipt that he has purchased a helmet, the bench directed.

A special hearing will be held in the division bench on the Suo Motto petition and Corona related petitions on May 13.

Amicus curie Satyajeet Bora appeared for the court, Adv Siddheshwar Thombre from minister Bhumre, Adv D R Kale from the government, Adv Santosh Chapalgaonkar for Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, Adv Radhakrishna Ingole Patil for Nanded Municipal Corporation and Adv Dhananjay Shinde for Parbhani Municipal Corporation.