[COVID-19 crisis] How High Courts reacted to the Supreme Court's decision to take up COVID-19 related issues suo motu

The Supreme Court today decided to take suo motu cognisance of various issues arising out of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India..In doing so, the top Court also expressed its inclination to withdraw the various suo motu cases already taken up by various High Courts in the country on related issues. .Chief Justice of India SA Bobde orally observed that the High Court's interventions, despite intentions to do so in the best interest, were "creating confusion and diversion of resources.".However, in the absence of a stay on High Court cases from the top Court as of yet, at least three High Courts responded by carrying on with the hearing of suo motu cases.When the Supreme Court's move was brought to the notice of the High Courts by counsel for Central government, here was how they reacted. .Madras High Court.The Madras High Court's announcement that it would be taking up a suo motu case on the handling of the COVID-19 situation in Tamil Nadu came only hours before the Supreme Court's own announcement. .The Bench headed by Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee assured that it is not trying to step into the executive's domain and that it only seeks to be appraised of the steps taken by the State so far to be satisfied that the authorities are on top of the COVID-19 situation. .Upon being informed that the Supreme Court has also taken up the matter, the Bench decided to go ahead with hearing the case since the Supreme Court is yet to stay High Court proceedings..Chief Justice Banerjee also orally observed that if the matter is withdrawn from the High Court, the Bench would be happy to part with the matter. The order passed today also makes note of the top Court's intervention in the matter in the following terms:."The matter will next appear on Monday, April 26, 2021, if it survives at all since it is the submission of the learned Advocate General that a view has been expressed by the Supreme Court that all matters pertaining to COVID may be consolidated and heard by the Supreme Court.".Bombay High Court.The Bombay High Court was hearing a plea alleging improper management of COVID-19 in Maharashtra, when Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh told the Court, that an update has been posted by Bar & Bench about Supreme Court had registering a suo motu case. .Chief Justice Dipankar Datta, who was on the Bench, then sought clarification on whether or not the cases being dealt with by individual High Courts have been transferred to the Supreme Court yet. ASG Singh pointed out from the article that Supreme Court is yet to examine whether to transfer these issues from High Courts to itself and will examine it at a later stage. Upon learning that there is no stay or transfer, CJ Datta proceeded to hear the case. .Delhi High Court.The Delhi High Court was apprised of the development from the Supreme Court during the hearing of petitions filed by hospitals in the national capital on the acute shortage of Oxygen supply. The Court, however, said that till the matter goes to the Supreme Court, the High Court will not adjourn the case. "If matter goes to Supreme Court, we'll have a wider view. Till the matter goes to Supreme Court, this is not a matter we can adjourn," the Delhi High Court made it clear.