BIJAYA KUMAR RAGADA Vs. STATE OF ODISHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Bijaya Kumar Ragada, learned counsel, who appears in person as the petitioner, Mr. Ashok Kumar Parija, learned Advocate General, Mr. Gopal Krishna Mohanty, President, Orissa High Court Bar Association and Mr. A.K. Bose, learned Asst. Solicitor General for the Union of India.

(2.) Lock-Down Phase 3.0 throughout the country for two weeks w.e.f. 04th May, 2020 is in currency now. Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) has infected more than 46,000 persons so far across the country. The virus, Novel as it is, in absence of vaccine and medication to arrest its spread, declares with pride "Hide from me to be safe" and "Keep distance from my carrier to be alive". Hon'ble Prime Minister of India and Hon'ble Chief Minister of our State have taken well conceived, well thought of, justly considered, tough and hard steps to contain the crisis arising out of the virus.

(3.) Staying at home to be safe and maintaining social distance are the only ways to check spread of the virus. India countries cross sections of people of various religion, faith, cast, creed and colour. Law abidingness, however, has never been a natural habit of a part of the population. Irresponsibility is writ large when it comes to conforming to certain sets of discipline and order. In such a situation, locking down the entire country to keep the people safe was probably the only remedy available, though outcome of a very tough and difficult decision. We, therefore, are one in our view that Executive Government is best fitted and best suited to contain the crisis arising out of the virus in its own novel and extraordinary way, provided everything is done within the constitutional framework and there is proper co-ordination among the implementing agencies.