Letzkit Foundation v. Union Of India

1. Our attention is invited to the National Directives of COVID-19 Management which are part of the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs dated 30 May, 2020. The contention of the petitioner is that these guidelines are not being followed as can be seen from the photographs annexed from Annexure-B onwards.

2. Moreover, in the State of Karnataka, now the places of religion/places of worship, hotels, restaurants and shopping malls have been thrown open. The State Government will place on record the Standard Operating Procedures (for short ‘SOPs’) issued in this behalf.

3. The guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 30 May, 2020 provide for night curfew between 9.00 p.m. and 5.00 a.m. The State must place on record what measures it proposes to take for implementation of the guidelines of the Government of India as well as SOPs governing the places of religion, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls etc. The State will place on record whether a grievance redressal mechanism has been created enabling a citizen to lodge a complaint regarding violation of the guidelines and especially, the rules relating to use of masks, maintaining social distancing etc. The State will also place on record whether it is possible for a citizen to lodge a complaint by use of his/her cell phone after noticing the breaches so that action can be immediately taken by the State authorities.

4. Let the petition be listed on 12 June, 2020 in the morning session.

5. If the State Government wants to file any documents on record, the same shall be e-filed by 11 June, 2020 and the copies thereof shall be supplied to the counsel for the petitioner.