[Coronavirus Lockdown] Calcutta HC takes cognisance of grievances over unavailability of relief and services in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The Calcutta High Court on Saturday took cognisance of grievances made over the availability of relief and services in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the Coronavirus lockdown, ordering the Central Government and the administration of the Union Territory to respond by March 30. .Acting on a letter addressed to the Court by Advocate DC Kabir, the Bench of Chief Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice Dipankar Datta observed, ."The matter relates to the reportedly grim state of affairs in the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Various facets of the challenges faced by the people are pointed out in the letter petition...we are of the view that the contents of the letter petition requires to be addressed and remedial measures, as may be found necessary, ought to be pushed through as a first step in this regard."Calcutta High Court.Therefore, the State authorities were directed to send in their responses via email to the Registrar General of the Calcutta High Court by March 30. The order was passed while also observing that, ."Access to justice is multifaceted assistance to the people. It is not confined to mere access to courts. It spreads out and trickles down multifarious inalienable necessities for human existence and environment management. Provisions to support cohesive and comprehensive deliverance of matters connected with life is among the guarantees, including fundamental rights, in the Constitution.".The Court has scheduled a hearing in the matter on March 31, while also intimating that digital means will be adopted to hear the case on an urgent basis. A stated in the order,."It may be noted that having regard to the exigencies of circumstances, we direct that the proceedings of this case will continue utilising WhatsApp, e-conferencing, e-mails, etc. as modes of communication and judicial management for the time being."Calcutta High Court.The Bench on Saturday also directed the constitution of a Monitoring Committee to report back to the High Court on the ground realities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, when it comes to the distribution of essential commodities and medicines. The Committee is to comprise of the following members:the District Judge;the Judicial Secretary; the Superintendent of Police, South Andamans and;the President of the Bar Association, Port Blair..The Committee has been tasked with not only ensuring access to justice, acting on behalf of the court and reporting on the ground realities. Further, the Court ordered, ."That Committee, which will come into force upon issuance of this order, is hereby directed to make an overall assessment of all relevant factors including supply of essential commodities and essential articles, medicines, fuel and availability of other support mechanisms for the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands."Calcutta High Court.The Committee has been directed to submit its first report to the Registrar General by March 30. .The High Court proceeded to direct the District Judge, also the Registrar-in-charge of the Port Blair Circuit Bench of the High Court at Calcutta, to notify the public of the procedure to move extremely urgent matters during this time. .The Bench has clarified that soft copies of such urgent petitions may be filed with the Registry. Immediately thereafter, the petitions are to be registered and sent to the Registry at Kolkata through email or other available modes, so that it may be placed before the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice. .The Court added that the Judicial Secretary should also issue a similar notification. Further that "upon receipt of any such petition citing extremely urgent situation requiring judicial intervention, the same shall be placed before the District Judge for registration and thereafter, in the manner aforesaid and by following the directive, be placed before the Chief Justice for consideration.".[Read the Order]