SAHARA HOUSE Vs. U.O.I. & ORS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners shall file a brief note indicating the directions which may be issued by this Court to facilitate providing of free Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) to H.I.V. infected persons as also the targets that have been fixed within two weeks. A copy thereof shall be given to Mr. T.S. Doabia, learned counsel, who should take instructions and the learned counsel, if necessary, shall discuss the matter with the concerned officers, including the Secretary, Ministry of Health. The assistance of counsel for the petitioners can also be taken. On the next date of hearing, the Court should be informed of the difficulties, if any, in issue of directions that may be sought for by the petitioners. The respondent-Union of India, shall also state the reasons for not meeting the target of providing free ART to one lakh patients by 2005 and reasons for extending it to 2007.

(2.) The State Governments shall also look into the aforesaid aspect and assist the court on the next date of hearing.

(3.) List these petitions in the last week of Sept., 2006.