Bombay High Court to BMC: Leave no stone unturned to ensure people’s health not compromised due to Omicron

The Bombay High Court on Monday told the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) that it “should not leave any stone unturned” to ensure that the public’s health is not compromised amid the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in the city.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) by city-based lawyer Sneha Marjadi, alleging improper management of Covid-19 treatment in Maharashtra.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Makarand S Karnik directed the civic body to ensure measures on vaccination, bed management, ambulance management and oxygen supply initiated by it are duly implemented.

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai had submitted a note dated January 9, 2022 on several aspects, viz. action taken for Omicron surveillance, testing, protocol to be followed by international travelers, bed management, dashboard, ambulance management, oxygen supply, supply of medicines as well as the facilities that are now available. The petitioner has sought time to go through the same.

The Court expressed hope in the Covid fight taken up by the authorities and stated:

"We express hope and trust that even during the present testing times of the third wave of the pandemic, the Municipal Corporation shall not leave any stone unturned to ensure that health and medical care of the general public, because of the emergence and spread of the Omicron variant, is given top priority and not compromised in any manner whatsoever and that the measures which have been indicated in the note are observed in letter and spirit."

The Court further noted the assurance of A.Y. Sakhare, counsel for Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai that if over a period of any time any improvement is required to be made in the current set-up to cater to the interest of the general public to combat the third wave, the Municipal Corporation will unhesitatingly direct further/other steps towards achieving such improvement."

The Court granted liberty to the petitioner to offer suggestions to the Municipal Corporation on the matter.

Sneha Nirav Marjadi Vs. State of Maharashtra & Ors.