With reports of oxygen supply, non availability of life saving drugs coming to the fore from all corners of the country, the Supreme Court on Thursday took suo moto cognizance on issues related to the raging COVID-19 pandemic including oxygen supply, drug supply, and vaccine policy and the power to declare lockdowns.
A bench comprising Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justices L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat said that notice to the Union of India will be issued today and the matter will be taken up on Friday. Senior counsel Harish Salve has been appointed as Amicus Curiae to assist the Court in this matter.
The Apex Court also said that it will examine whether or not issues pending before different High Courts should be transferred to itself. At present cases related to pandemic management are being heard by at least six High Courts – Delhi, Bombay Sikkim, MP, Calcutta and Allahabad.
According to legal news portals Live Law and Bar and Bench, the Chief Justice said that the Court was proposing to take cognizance on four points:
- supply of oxygen
- supply of essential drugs
- method and manner of vaccination, and
- power to declare lockdown
In an urgent hearing held on Wednesday night, Delhi High Court had reiterated that it was the Centre’s responsibility to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply for patients battling medical emergency.