The Delhi High Court has imposed a cost of Rs. 25000 on a North Delhi Municipal Corporation for failing to file an application of Condonation of delay and directed that the cost imposed shall be utilized for procuring PPE kits for doctors who are treating COVID-19 patients.

The Court had on June 5 granted 2 weeks time to the Corporation to file the counter affidavit, however, neither the counter affidavit was on record nor was there any application for condonation of delay.

The bench presided by Justice Najmi Waziri while imposing the cost on the Corporation directed that the cost shall be expended towards providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE kits) for Resident Doctors of LokNayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP Hospital), where testing and treatment facilities for COVID-19 patients is being carried out, so as to provide some protection to the medical staff/healthcare workers engaged in combating the COVID 19 pandemic.

The bench further directed that the documents of the purchase of the PPE kits alongwith the photographs of handing over of the same to the Medical Superintendent, LNJP Hospital shall be filed within a week.

The bench also directed the Corporation to file the counter affidavit/reply before the next date of hearing failing which further cost will be imposed upon the Corporation.

The matter has been listed for next hearing on August 8.

-India Legal Bureau