UNION OF INDIA Vs. RAKESH MALHOTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These proceedings have arisen from two orders of the Division Bench of the High Court of Delhi dtd. 1/5/2021 and 4/5/2021. By the first of these orders, the High Court directed the Central Government to ensure that the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, "GNCTD", receives its allocated supply of 490 MT "positively today, by whatever means". The Central Government was directed to arrange tankers so that the allocation made to Delhi could be fulfilled. The High Court directed that if the order is not implemented, the concerned officers of the Government shall remain present during the hearing on 3/5/2021.

(2.) By the second order of the High Court, the Central Government has been directed to show cause as to why contempt action should not be initiated not only for non-compliance with its order dtd. 1/5/2021, but also of the order passed by this Court in the meantime on 30/4/2021 (which was released and uploaded on the website of the Supreme Court of India on 2/5/2021).

(3.) At this stage, it may be material to note that the order of this Court dtd. 30/4/2021, followed upon a comprehensive hearing on diverse aspects of the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.