REGISTRAR (JUDICIAL) Vs. UNION OF INDIA & OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Insofar as Criminal Application No. 1194/2020 is concerned, the said application has been filed by the applicant seeking intervention in the Public Interest Litigation being aggrieved by a marriage reception ceremony that has allegedly taken place and the news pertaining to which was reported in daily "Pudhari" Parbhani and Hingoli edition dated 10.07.2020 and in daily "Deshonnati" dated 10.07.2020. The newspaper cuttings placed on record suggest that a wedding reception was arranged by a high profile resident of Gangakhed and the said reception was attended by several people's representatives, people who are in the political arena and even by the revenue and police authorities. It is, therefore, prayed by the applicant that action be initiated against such violators who are the cause of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

(2.) The learned PP points out that the District Collector, Parbhani, Mr. D.M. Muglikar, has already made a statement, which is also reported in the same news cutting, that he would be initiating action against the violators. The learned PP is however, unable to state as to what action has been initiated.

(3.) We find that in the Suo-moto Criminal Public Interest Litigation, the intention of this Court is to ensure containment of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and treatment being made available to the people at large, especially people belonging to lower income group, below poverty line group and such category of people who would not be able to spend large amount on treatment, if infected. In this backdrop, it would be appropriate for the applicant to approach the local administration with a specific complaint, keeping in view that the news reports are quite vague and do not mention the person who had allegedly arranged the marriage reception.