In stern remarks, the Allahabad High Court Tuesday observed that the death of COVID-19 patients just for non-supply of oxygen to hospitals is a criminal act, "not less than a genocide" by authorities entrusted the task to ensure the oxygen supply chain is maintained.
The remarks were made on some news items doing the rounds on social media regarding the death of COVID-19 patients due to lack of oxygen in Lucknow and Meerut districts. The court also ordered a probe into the incidents.
A two judges-bench comprising justices Siddharth Verma and Justice Ajit Kumar passed the order on a Public Interest Litigation on the spread of COVID-19 in the state and the condition of quarantine centres.
"We are at a pain in observing that death of Covid patients just for non-supplying of oxygen to the hospitals is a criminal act and not less than a genocide by those who have been entrusted the task to ensure continuous procurement and supply chain of the liquid medical oxygen," the court observed.
"How can we let our people die in this way when science is so advanced that even heart transplantation and brain surgery are taking place these days," it added.
"Normally, we would have not directed the state and district administration to enquire into such news that has been viralled on social media, but since the advocates who were appearing in this PIL supported such news and even submitted that more or less situations in other districts of the state are the same, we find it necessary to direct for immediate remedial measures to be taken by the government." The court said.
The court directed the District Magistrate of Lucknow and District Magistrate of Meerut to enquire into such news items within 48 hours and submit their reports on the next date.
They are also directed to appear before the court online on the next date of hearing.
The court was informed about a viral news item that five patients had died in the ICU of a new trauma centre of Medical College, Meerut, last Sunday.
Similarly, Sun Hospital, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, and another private hospital at Meerut had taken their hands off admitted COVID-19 patients only for the reason that oxygen supply was not made even after demand.
"Throwing Baby With Bathwater": Top Court Junks Ruling Against UP Madrasas Top Court Verdict Tomorrow On Pleas Against Order Scrapping UP Madrasa Law UP Gangster, Serving Life Sentence, Granted Bail By Allahabad High Court Aligarh Muslim University A Minority Institution? Supreme Court's Key 4:3 Verdict Elon Musk Replies To 'We Need Your Help Removing Trudeau' Post "Did Entire World A Favour": Minister On Why India Buys Russian Oil DY Chandrachud's Last Working Day: What Do Chief Justices Do After Term Ends 2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire Bags 5-Star GNCAP Rating, Delivers 25.71 Kmpl These Foods Rich In Healthy Fats Can Help Lower Bad Cholesterol Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.