PRITHVIJOY DAS Vs. STATE OF WEST BENGAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Primarily two issues have been raised by the petitioners in this Public Interest Litigation. Firstly, the issue of disposal of the dead body of a Covid19 victim, with due care, respect and dignity. The other issue is regarding admission of Covid-19 patients (whether detected or suspected) to hospitals.

(2.) We have heard Learned Counsel for the petitioners and Learned Counsel for the State. The first issue is fully covered by our Judgment delivered on 16.09.2020 in WPA 5479 of 2020 (Vineet Ruia v The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of W.B. & Ors.) . To the extent that issue is concerned, that Judgment in the case of Vineet Ruia will govern the present writ petition also.

(3.) As regards the other issue, the grievance of the petitioners appears to be that there is no way of knowing as to how many beds for Covid-19 patients are available in the State and Private Hospitals at any given point of time. There is no database in this regard which a person in need may access. Further, the allegation is that in spite of beds being available, hospitals are refusing to admit Covid-19 patients.