The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday has taken serious note of alleged violations of coronavirus guidelines at a religious function. The division bench comprising Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Prakash Srivastava was hearing the public interest litigation filed by Advocate Sushil Kumar Patel, a resident of Jabalpur through Advocates Sanjay Verma and Meena Verma, issued notice to the Central and the state government, including another respondent.

The petitioner’s counsel submitted that the Digambar Jain Muni Bhakta Sammelan was organized on January 3, 2021, at Bhel Dussehra ground, Govindpura in the capital Bhopal. Around 2,000 people gathered during this time. Such a large amount of people congregating in one place violates Covid-19 guideline. Does the question arise as to how the local administration allowed such an event? asked the counsel.

It was further submitted by the petitioner that on behalf of Digambar Jain Social Welfare Society, Bhopal, the application was given to SDM, Govindpura, Bhopal by Chairman Padam Kumar Jain for permission. As per rules, this application should have been rejected or permission could have been given on the basis of fulfilling the condition of gathering people as per Covid-19 guidelines. But this was not done.

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During the hearing on Tuesday, the petitioner’s advocate outlined the guidelines issued by the Central Government and Supreme Court regarding Covid-19 according to which human health is most important. Despite this, Covid-19 guidelines were ignored at Bhel Dussehra ground, Govindpura, Bhopal. The situation is very worrying and does not rule out the danger of spreading Covid infection, urged the petition.