ANYA MALHOTRA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been preferred as a public interest litigation with the following prayers:-

(2.) At the outset, Mr. Siddharth Luthra, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners were not pressing the reliefs claimed in prayer clause (iii) of the instant writ petition. Mr. Luthra submitted that the jurisdiction of this Court has been invoked to enforce the Orders issued by Delhi Disaster Management Authority (hereinafter referred to as 'DDMA') and in the light of the said Orders directions are sought to Respondents No. 1 and 2 to forthwith halt/suspend all construction activities of the Central Vista Avenue Redevelopment Project awarded to Respondent no.4 as also a writ in the nature of mandamus commanding Respondent no.3 to forthwith withdraw and rescind the movement pass dated 19th April, 2021 (Annexure P-7 to the memo of this petition), during the present peak phase of the Pandemic Covid-19.

(3.) Learned Senior Counsel submitted that in view of the sharp increase in Covid-19 cases in Delhi, DDMA vide Order dated 19th April, 2021 (Annexure P-6 to the memo of this writ petition) imposed restrictions on movement in the territory of NCT of Delhi w.e.f. 10 P.M. on 19th April, 2021 to 5 A.M. on 26th April, 2021. Certain categories of individuals were exempted from the said restrictions such as Government officials, Judicial Officers, medical personnel, etc. and persons related to commercial and private establishments, providing essential services enumerated therein, were allowed movement subject to possession of e-pass. It was clearly spelt out in the Order that except the aforementioned exempted/allowed movements and activities, all other private offices/establishments, shops, shopping centres, malls, weekly markets, manufacturing units, educational and coaching institutes, cinema and theatres etc. shall remain closed during the curfew.