COURTESY TOI JULY 14

REINING IN DEFAULTERS
HC to hear PIL seeking punishment for Covid-19 rule violators today
C-Neha.Sharma5@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:

A fine of Rs 3.46 lakh has been collected from defaulters for not wearing masks and failing to adhere to social distancing norms. A total of 1,010 persons have been challaned so far. Of these, 807 persons have been challaned for not wearing a mask and 56 have been challaned for not adhering to social distancing norms. A total of 18 persons have been challaned for spitting in public and 129 persons have been challaned for violating social distancing norms. Not a single person has been challaned for violating home quarantine instructions or under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant). These details have been submitted by the Chandigarh administration to the Punjab and Haryana high court in the PIL seeking punishment for any person not wearing mask in public places under Section 188 of the IPC rather merely imposing a fine.

Advocate Kamal Deep Sehra argued that instead of effectively curtailing spread of the disease, authorities are encouraging violators by charging a nominal fine. The PIL will be heard in high court on Tuesday.

The status report filed by Kuljit Paul Singh Mahi, additional secretary, health Chandigarh stated that the Chandigarh admiSnistration has taken measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus infection. These measures are related to violation of social distancing norms, spitting at public places, not wearing masks and violation of home quarantine instructions. It was stated that wearing of 3 ply or cotton mask has been made compulsory by the Chandigarh disaster management authority on April 9, 2020 for all persons moving out of the house. On June 2, the Chandigarh administration also imposed a fine for not wearing a mask. Those not paying the fine would be liable to prosecution under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code