New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Gujarat state government notification wherein it allowed the hospitals to run without any building use and fire safety certificate till march 2022.
The notification was issued by the state government with an aim to manage the healthcare facilities in the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic.
The court observed on Friday that in the process of saving people from pandemic, "we are killing people by fire".
"It's a burden and obligation of states that patients are looked after. All governments converted places to hospitals. There is no justification in saying that we will risk people's safety," observed the court.
The High Court added that it has taken note of mafia links among developers, planning authorities and law enforcement authorities.
"We can't cure all the ills in Indian society but we must do what we can as judges to uphold the rule of law," said J DY Chandrachud. The bench also comprising of Justice MR Shah remarked that hospitals have become an "investment".
Gujrat submitted before the court that the step was just a pragmatic move in view of the third wave. "It's just a short breather and nothing else. We are very clear on that," submitted Gujrat's lawyer.
"Have you seen the ICUs? One room has 7 to 8 beds. It's because of the urgency of situation that we did not pass any orders," said Justice Shah.
The court was hearing a suo moto case regarding fire incident in hospital in Rajkot, Gujrat on 26 November, 2020.
The court had sought a report from Gujrat regarding Fire NOCs in hospitals. In the last hearing it had taken note of the state notification which permitted hospital operations without compliance to fire safety norms.
Also Read: Gujarat: Fire dept issues notices to hospitals falling short of fire safety measures
