Court issues notice to state over stay of Delhi family

Vijay Arora

Shimla, July 19

The HP High Court has issued a notice to the state government on a petition seeking judicial inquiry into the stay of Delhi residents at the Circuit House near Peterhoff.

Expressing concern over the issue, especially when the Circuit House is dedicated to doctors of the Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, who are on Covid duty, the court sought response from the Chief Secretary by July 23.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice L Narayana Swami and Justice Anoop Chitkara passed this order last week on a petition filed by local advocate Virender Thakur, who alleged that the authorities illegally allowed a Delhi-based family to stay at the Circuit House.

It was further contended that on July 16, a family came to Shimla from Delhi and all members were accommodated in the state guest house. However, their driver was later found Covid-positive and was shifted to a care centre at Mashobra. The family has been quarantined.

The petitioner raised a concern that under what circumstances the family was allowed to stay when the guest house is dedicated to doctors working in the frontline.

Rest house meant for doctors

Expressing concern over the issue, especially when the Circuit House is dedicated to doctors of the Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital who are on Covid duty, the court sought response from the Chief Secretary by July 23.