'Public gatherings in narrow streets would become superspreaders'

The observations were passed while the court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Rakesh Malhotra seeking increasing the Covid-19 testing numbers in the national capital and getting speedy results

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday pulled up the AAP government over the rising Covid-19 cases in the national capital, and said "the public gatherings in narrow lanes would result in being the superspreaders of the virus".

"Covid-19 cases are becoming rampant and no household has been left out from its effect. We thought that corrective measures would be taken and the needful would be done by the Delhi government, however, the Delhi government is relaxing the said norms," said a division bench of the high court, Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad said.

"During the festive times, the people are out in large numbers which would be a cause for the spread of Covid-19. As a matter of fact, this gathering in narrow lanes would result in it being the superspreaders of the virus," the court said further.

The observations were passed while the court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Rakesh Malhotra seeking increasing the Covid-19 testing numbers in the national capital and getting speedy results.

While the matter was being heard through video conferencing, petitioner Rakesh Malhotra informed the court that he himself 'tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week and is currently on oxygen support in a nursing home'.

"I tried my best to get a bed in a nearby hospital, but it was not available following which I had to shift in a nursing home," Malhotra said.

Following Malhotra's submissions, the bench praised his efforts that even after suffering from the virus, he joined the hearing to assist the court.

"The petitioner is one amongst the many who is not being able to find a bed in the hospital," said the court expressing concern.

The court has now asked the Delhi government to file a status report explaining the steps taken by it to control Covid-19 cases observing the rise in the infection in the last two weeks.

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