The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking immediate lockdown in the national capital to slow down COVID-19 infection (Kaushal Kant vs GNCTD).."Can a High Court give a direction for lockdown? It is a policy decision,"A Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Prateek Jalan remarked..The petition was preferred by one Kaushal Kant Mishra, a doctor by profession. .Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Pooja Dhar prayed that a substantial lockdown be ordered by the court on account of the critical situation of COVID-19 and air pollution in the city. .The court, however, remarked, ."We appreciate your concern but is lockdown the only solution?".The court asked the petitioner if he had studied the reports on ineffectiveness of imposing a lockdown. ."We are in this situation in spite of two months of lockdown and taking all the steps," the court added. .The court suggested that the petitioner make a representation to the Delhi government on the issue. .However, after noting that Centre was not made a party to the petition in spite of the order that any permission for the imposition of lockdown ought to be taken from them by State governments, the court remarked that it would dismiss the petition with costs. .The petition was ultimately withdrawn by the petitioner. .Advocate Gautam Narayan appeared for Delhi government.
