On Monday, March 21, the Bombay High Court asked the Maharashtra government to detail the restrictions imposed on local train travel during the surge of COVID-19 as well as the restrictions imposed post the relaxation, reports stated.
Based on accounts, the division bench was apprised that considering the improved coronavirus condition and reduction in the number of fatalities, the restrictions imposed on local train travel by means of the March 1 circular of the State Executive Committee (SEC) were illegal and arbitrary.
According to narratives, while hearing the Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the court was told that while it previously had asked the chief secretary to undertake the requisite decision to permit non-vaccinated to ply by the local trains, the SEC didn’t relax the curbs.
The PIL, reportedly, goes on to object to the fines imposed on those who do not adhere to the COVID-19 regulations, claiming that it was illegal and thus, the fine collected should be refunded.
Moreover, on Monday, the state submitted an affidavit highlighting that there wasn’t any evidence of those non-vaccinated being more prone to spread the virus than those vaccinated. However, as a precautionary measure, the curbs on the local train travel continue to remain in force to see to it that they don’t contract the virus or spread it in the crowded trains where it is not possible to practice social distancing, cited reports.
Furthermore, the affidavit remarks that education institutions have been asked to resume physical classes, but were also given the opportunity to conduct classes online if there were any misgivings of COVID-19 amongst students, mentioned accounts.
The state also justified the fines imposed on those failing to adhere to the protocols under section 51 of the Disaster Management Act. The affidavit concludes that the issues raised in the PIL are not bonified and thus, should be dismissed.
The bench then went through the affidavit and asked to know the condition of local train travel during the COVID-19 pandemic and presently. It asked the Maharashtra government to make a submission about the same and posted the PIL for further hearing on Friday, March 25.
Also Read: COVID-19: BMC Brings Vaccination Campaign For 12-14-Year-Olds To School
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