SC asks four states to file status report on COVID-19 precautions at children's shelter homes

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked four states to file a status report on precautionary measures against COVID-19 at children's shelter homes within their jurisdiction. The move came after 35 children tested positive for the disease at a state-run shelter home in Chennai.

New Delhi: Taking suo moto cognizance of COVID-19 situation, the Supreme Court on Tuesday urged the governments of four states including Uttarakhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Tripura to file a status report on the steps initiated at shelter homes to prevent the spread of the virus.

This move came after 35 children tested positive for coronavirus disease at a state-run shelter home in Tamil Nadu's Chennai.

A three-judge-bench of SC had recently initiated proceedings against Tamil Nadu government in this matter.

During the last hearing, the judges asked the government to file a report on the situation at the shelter home and health conditions of children who stayed there.

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Also, the apex court passed directions to all state governments to file an affidavit pertaining to the children's shelter homes in their jurisdiction.

Balaji Srinivasan, the advocate who appeared for Tamil Nadu government explained the current scenario of the infected shelter home. On justice Nageswara Rao's enquiry, he assured that all affected children recovered from the infection.

He also stated that there were no fresh cases reported at the shelter home.

The Supreme Court bench further asserted that many states have not filed their affidavits pertaining to the children's shelter homes.

"We are appointing Gaurav Aggarwala as Amicus Curiae. All the states should file an affidavit before Friday and the matter will again be heard by Monday," Justice Rao observed.

The judges also asked the counsel of Uttar Pradesh about infections in a Children Shelter Home in Kanpur. It asked the state government to file an additional affidavit on the Kanpur shelter home's condition.

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