Latest news with #AnishDayal
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Delhi HC worried over 'next pandemic'; flags delay in SOP
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has pulled up the Centre over delays in finalising basic protocols for COVID-19 sample collection, noting that the 'next pandemic is far from over' and the issue can't be allowed to drift. Justice Anish Dayal, in an order dated May 28, called for a status report on steps taken so far regarding standards for sample collection, collection centres, and transportation of biological samples. 'This matter assumes urgency considering that there were wide reports of COVID-19 being active in the community. It would, therefore, be expected from the respondent to crystallise an urgent set of measures… and whatever decision was taken in the meeting has reached its proper conclusion,' the judge said. The case arises from a contempt plea filed by Dr Rohit Jain, who alleged that the government had failed to act on a January 27, 2023 order passed by a division bench. The court had then directed the Centre to treat his petition as a representation and issue a reasoned decision within 12 weeks.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
Delhi HC seeks government update on COVID-19 testing standards amid rising cases
New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has directed the Union Government to submit a comprehensive status report detailing its actions regarding the policy for sample collection, collection centres, and transportation of samples, underscoring that the 'next COVID-19 pandemic is far from over.' Expressing concern over the lack of clarity on steps taken following a meeting on May 30, 2023, the court emphasized the urgency of finalizing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). It noted widespread reports of COVID-19 cases within the community, highlighting the necessity of swift and decisive measures. The directive came in response to a contempt plea filed by Dr Rohit Jain, who alleged that authorities had failed to act on previous court orders mandating the establishment of minimum standards for sample collection and transportation. The bench of Justice Anish Dayal was last week informed by government counsel Monika Arora that a status report would be submitted. It was also revealed that, following a January 27, 2023 court order, a meeting chaired by the Additional Director General of Health Services took place on May 30, 2023. During the meeting, four expert sub-committees--comprising specialists in pathology, biochemistry, hematology, and microbiology from central government hospitals--were tasked with defining SOPs for sample handling and storage. Despite these developments, the court stressed the importance of ensuring that decisions taken in the meeting reach a proper conclusion. The matter has now been listed for further hearing, with the Union Government required to submit its status report by July 18. As of 8 AM on Monday, June 2, 2025, India has recorded 3,961 active COVID-19 cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The total number of COVID-19-related deaths since January has risen to 32, with four new fatalities reported since Sunday, June 1, 2025. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC flags rising Covid-19 cases, seeks urgent action on lab guidelines
The Delhi high court has asked the Centre for an update on the status of guidelines for laboratories on the collection and transportation of Covid-19 samples amid a sudden resurgence of the outbreak. Justice Anish Dayal, while hearing a contempt plea over the Centre's delay in formulating such guidelines, said that the situation cannot be taken lightly given the recent spike in cases. 'Considering that the next Covid-19 pandemic is far from over and in fact, active among the community today as per news reports, the vacuum, if any, of steps taken post the meeting of 30 May 2023 is a serious issue,' the judge said in an order dated May 28, made available later. The court noted that although the Centre had initiated action by forming expert sub-committees, further delay could have serious implications. 'This assumes certain urgency, considering that there are wide reports of Covid-19 being active in the community as on date; it would, therefore, be expected from the respondent to crystallise an urgent set of measures in order that these SoPs are in place and whatever decision was taken in the meeting, has reached its proper conclusion,' justice Dayal added. The comments came during a hearing on a contempt petition filed by Dr Rohit Jain, who alleged that the Centre failed to comply with the court's earlier direction to establish minimum standards for Covid-19 sample collection and transport. On January 27, 2023, the court had instructed the government to make a decision on Jain's petition within 12 weeks. In the last hearing, the Centre's standing counsel Monika Arora informed the bench that four sub-committees had been constituted to define the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for sample collection, collection centres, and transportation policy. These committees, composed of experts from pathology, biochemistry, haematology, and microbiology, were formed following a meeting held on May 30, 2023, under the chairmanship of the Additional Director General of Health Services. While the court acknowledged the Centre's initiation of the process and noted that contempt did not lie in this context, it underlined the urgency of concluding the work begun a year ago. The Centre has now been directed to file a status report within six weeks. The matter will next be heard on July 18. The petitioner's grievance rests on the Centre's failure to act on the January 2023 direction. Jain, in his plea, asserted that the absence of proper regulations for diagnostic laboratories poses a public health risk and that the Centre had neglected to act despite clear court orders. The court's order comes amid fresh alerts triggered by rising Covid cases in parts of Asia. Countries such as China, Thailand, and Singapore have reported new waves, prompting Indian authorities to step up surveillance and preparedness. On May 23, the Delhi government issued an advisory instructing hospitals to ensure readiness in terms of beds, oxygen, essential medicines, vaccines, and equipment. 'Hospitals must ensure preparedness in terms of availability of beds, oxygen, antibiotics, other drugs and vaccines. All equipment such as ventilators, Bi-PAP, oxygen concentrators and PSA must be in functional condition,' the advisory stated. All positive Covid-19 samples are to be sent for genome sequencing to Lok Nayak Hospital, it said. According to data from the ministry of health and family welfare, Delhi has 483 active Covid-19 cases as of Monday.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Delhi HC seeks govt update on Covid-19 testing standards amid rising cases
The Delhi High Court has directed the Union Government to submit a comprehensive status report detailing its actions regarding the policy for sample collection, collection centres, and transportation of samples, underscoring that the "next Covid-19 pandemic is far from over." Expressing concern over the lack of clarity on steps taken following a meeting on May 30, 2023, the court emphasized the urgency of finalizing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). It noted widespread reports of Covid-19 cases within the community, highlighting the necessity of swift and decisive measures. The directive came in response to a contempt plea filed by Dr Rohit Jain, who alleged that authorities had failed to act on previous court orders mandating the establishment of minimum standards for sample collection and transportation. The bench of Justice Anish Dayal was last week informed by government counsel Monika Arora that a status report would be submitted. It was also revealed that, following a January 27, 2023 court order, a meeting chaired by the Additional Director General of Health Services took place on May 30, 2023. During the meeting, four expert sub-committees--comprising specialists in pathology, biochemistry, hematology, and microbiology from central government hospitals--were tasked with defining SOPs for sample handling and storage. Despite these developments, the court stressed the importance of ensuring that decisions taken in the meeting reach a proper conclusion. The matter has now been listed for further hearing, with the Union Government required to submit its status report by July 18. As of 8 AM on Monday, June 2, 2025, India has recorded 3,961 active Covid-19 cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The total number of COVID-19-related deaths since January has risen to 32, with four new fatalities reported since Sunday, June 1, 2025.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC closes contempt plea after govt ssues SOP for bomb threats
The Delhi high court on Monday closed a contempt petition against the city's chief secretary and police commissioner after the Directorate of Education (DoE) circulated a detailed 115‑point standard operating procedure (SoP) and checklist for handling bomb threats in schools. Justice Anish Dayal accepted DoE standing counsel Sameer Vashisht's submission that the SoP, issued Friday, 'has been sent to all stakeholders with directions that it should be complied with' and noted Delhi Police would issue an 'updated circular' to mirror the protocol at every police station. Additional director Shreya Singhal told the court a circular to all schools was already uploaded on the DoE website. 'In this view of the matter, the petition is disposed of,' the judge said. Advocate Arpit Bhargava had sought contempt action, arguing officials ignored the court's November 14 order that gave the government eight weeks to draft a bomb threat action plan. He said no mechanism was communicated even as hoax threats multiplied. Earlier this month the court summoned senior police and education officers, calling the scares 'serious' and disruptive. During Monday's hearing, justice Dayal declined Bhargava's plea to order curbs on dark-web or VPN (virtual private network) use in hoax threats: 'These are serious issues which have to be dealt with by the executive, and they know the concern. We cannot, at your behest, direct the executive to carry out this in a particular manner.' The new SOP mandates that schools must conduct regular mock drills, install CCTV, enforce strict access control and file a monthly safety checklist with district authorities. 'Heads of schools will lead emergency responses, coordinating with police, fire services, and disaster management teams. Further, teachers will receive training to guide evacuations, while students are supposed to follow safety protocols and report suspicious activities,' Mohinder Pal, additional director of education, stated in the order. Delhi Police must cordon areas, manage crowds and assess threats; fire services remain on standby; traffic officers clear evacuation routes. None of these agencies may handle explosives, it added. The SoP also covers government-aided, minority and recognised unaided private schools and sets out prevention, preparation, response and recovery measures. It further tasks Delhi Police with issuing an updated circular so field officers 'know their responsibilities', the court recorded.
