S.V. RAMAMURTHY Vs. PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The writ petition has been filed challenging the Government Order dtd. 12/1/2022 passed by the Health and Family Welfare Department and the consequential order dtd. 5/7/2022.

(2.) The petitioner appearing in person submits that imposition of penalty for non-wearing of mask covering mouth and nose and the enhancement of penalty amount are illegal, as wearing of mask may adversely affect the person in inhaling and exhaling. Thus, the liberty of a person to wear or not to wear a mask cannot be guided or controlled by mandating to wear it and in case of violation of the mandate thereof, to suffer penalty of Rs.500.00.

(3.) The petitioner in person submits that such penalty has not been imposed for non wearing of mask in any other country, rather it is only in the State of Tamil Nadu that such an order has been issued. Therefore, a prayer is made to set aside the impugned order making it absolutely at the discretion of the person concerned to wear mask or not to wear it.