1 E-Auction of Properties during Lockdown Stayed:
Holding of auctions by the banks would constitute a violation of the Governments lockdown orders, hence, the Karnataka High Court deferred the e-auction activities to be carried on by the banks till the lockdown restrictions imposed by the Government are revoked.
2 Movement of persons to purchase food for animals is permitted during lockdown:
A citizen’s choice to keep pets is traceable to his fundamental right to privacy, which in-turn is a facet of his right under Article 21. Also, it is a fundamental duty of every citizen to have compassion for living creatures. Hence, on producing a self-declaration of the purpose of travel, the Kerala High Court permitted such movement of citizens.
3 Guidelines issued for fixation of rates for COVID-19 testing by the SC:
Testing was made free for the persons covered under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojan. It was left open for the discretion of the State Governments whether to cover the economically weaker sections of the society under such benefits. The SC also directed that private Labs shall continue to charge the payment for testing of COVID-19 from persons who are able to make payment of testing fee as fixed by ICMR.
4 SC issued guidelines to ensure the safety and welfare of children under protective homes:
The Hon’ble Court Suo Moto issued directions to various authorities concerned with the welfare of children to ensure their safety and welfare including taking preventive measures, conducting regular counselling and monitoring, creating awareness, promote and demonstrate positive hygiene behaviours.
5 Regular bail application to be entertained only if urgent:
The process of disposing a bail application involves completing various formalities by several staff members of the concerned Court and due to the present lockdown situation, all offices and courts a virtually in non-operative mode. Hence, processing a bail, unless urgent, will constitute violation of the lockdown restrictions. Mere fact that the accused is undergoing detention does not constitute urgency.
6 Guidelines issued by the SC to ensure safety and well-being of health-care professionals during COVID:
Appropriate personal equipment and police security to be provided to the doctors and medical-staff where COVID patients are treated and to take necessary action against those who commits any act leading to obstruction of duties by these health-care professionals.
7 Nationalization of health-care sector rejected by SC:
A WP was filed praying for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the various authorities to nationalize all health-care centres till the pandemic is contained which was dismissed by the SC saying that such a prayer is misconceived and cannot be issued.
8 Employers are entitled to deduct salaries/wages due to the voluntary absence of employees from their duties:
It was ordered by the Supreme Court that the workers in the zone where the lockdown is lifted are entitled to report for their duties and if they voluntarily remain absent, the management at its discretion can deduct wages for such absence.
9 Schools will not be prohibited from charging tuition fees during lockdown:
Delhi High Court held that, schools are imparting education through online mode, they cannot be considered as ‘closed’ so as to prohibit them from charging fees. Such virtual education is been availed of by the students and hence, their fees cannot be exempted.
