Coronavirus: JK HC orders strict action against those concealing travel history

BSNL directed to operationalise video-conferencing in all courts

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Photo for representation only.

Srinagar, March 25: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Wednesday directed authorities in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to take strict action against those who were hiding their travel history.

The Court directed the authorities to enforce its orders regarding the disclosure of travel history, quarantining and isolation. They have been asked to take strong measures to ensure containment of coronavirus.

Hearing a PIL, through video-conferencing, from Srinagar, the bench, comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Sindhu Sharma, said that judicial notice can be taken of the several complaints being made in the electronic and the print media about those concealing their foreign travel history to escape the mandatory quarantine.

“Some of such persons are infected and huge public resources have been expended on tracking, not only these persons but their several contacts during the period up to their detection,” the bench said in its orders.

The High Court has also directed BSNL to ensure that every effort is made to operationalise the video-conferencing facilities in all the Courts within the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The Court has further directed the Secretary, PHE to look into the water supply roster and ensure an equitable distribution of water to all residents of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. A similar examination may be undertaken in the Union Territory of Ladakh as well for maintaining proper hygiene, the High Court said.

The Department of Social Welfare was directed to ensure that best possible care is given to Old Age Homes, Observation Homes, Nari Niketan, Bal Ashrams, Orphanages, Blind schools and other such institutions.