YOU ARE SINGULARLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SECOND WAVE - MADRAS HC TO THE ELECTION COMMITTEE OF INDIA

26th April 2021

On Monday, the Madras HC held the election committee of India responsible for the Covid 19 surge in the County by allowing political rallies during the Pandemic.

Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee told the election committee that you are singularly responsible for the second wave, "Your officers should be booked on murder charges probably". The CJ further asked the counsel appearing for ECI whether they were on another planet when election rallies were held.

The bench noted and observed that the ECI failed to comply with any Covid 19 norms regarding wearing masks, social distancing and use of sanitisers. The court warned to stop the counting scheduled on 2nd May if the ECI does not plan to ensure the following protocols on the counting day. The chief justice further added that it is distressing that constitutional authorities have to remind about the danger.

The Bench - Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy and chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee directed the ECI and Tamil Nadu Chief electoral officer to hold a meeting/consultation with the heath secretary up with a plan for the counting day. The bench also directed the submit the blueprint on record 30th April. The bench will review the whole situation on 30th April.

Author: Papiha Ghoshal

Pc - the leaflet