AES Horror: SC directs Bihar govt to file affidavit

The Supreme Court has asked the state and the union government to file a detailed affidavit including the condition of facilities, nutrition and sanitation provided to the AES affected children in Muzaffarpur district.

New Delhi: Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by two lawyers in connection with the outbreak of the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district, the Supreme Court on Monday directed Bihar government to file a detailed affidavit.

The Apex court also issued a notice to centre and UP governments to file affidavits within seven days giving details of facilities dealing with public health, nutrition and sanitation, for treatment of children suffering from AES in Muzaffarpur.

The plea was filed by advocates Manohar Pratap and Sanpreet Singh Ajmani.

The PIL said that the disease is completely curable and lives of children are being lost due to the "inaction" of the state machinery, which "failed" to take any steps to prevent the outbreak.

Despite the death of more than 150 children, the state government has shown "no prompt" steps to prevent the spread of the disease in adjoining districts, the plea contended.