AJIT KUMAR Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The matter has been heard through Video Conferencing.

(2.) The present petition is in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation filed by the petitioner, a senior citizen, praying inter alia for issuing directions to the respondent No.1/Union of India and the respondent No.2/Government of NCT of Delhi for considering the option of isolating or reversing the quarantine of old/elderly residents of Delhi (above 80 years) or people who require the medical assistance and are suffering from co-morbidity by shifting them from Red Zones (hot spots) to safe green zones, for providing effective arrangements to bring essential facilities including groceries, banking, etc., at their doorsteps for arranging adequate testing of senior citizens for detecting Covid-19 at the early stage, for establishing helplines and Apps dedicated to senior citizens at par with the helplines and Apps. established by other States in the country and lastly, for issuing directions, to the respondents to prepare a comprehensive data base of senior citizens with complete details.

(3.) Mr. Ajit Kumar, Advocate who appears in person, submits that out of a total population of 2 crores in Delhi, 8% are senior citizens and due to the lockdown imposed by the government, they have been compelled to stay at home. In this duration, many of the senior citizens who live alone as their children are residing abroad or are out of town, do not have any support system and are unable to access facilities like banking, medical, etc. They are forced to step out of their houses for purchasing essential items like groceries, milk, medicines and for withdrawing money from banks. In view of their increased vulnerability, there is the likelihood of their getting infected with Covid-19, which may prove fatal to them. It is in this background that the present petition has been filed for seeking directions to the respondents to provide essential services at home to senior citizens in Delhi, during this lockdown period imposed by the State.