It would be more advisable to create awareness and consciousness among the public rather than putting them in jails or lock-ups which are already overcrowded with people violating social distancing protocols during COVID-19 crisis, the Allahabad High Court has noted. Restraining these persons who, for some reason, violated social distancing norms may further aggravate the situation, the court said. A Division Bench of Justices Sunita Agarwal and Saumitra Dayal Singh made the observations in an order on June 19. The court was hearing a petition by seven Agra residents who sought the quashing of an FIR against them for allegedly violating social distancing norms. The petitioners were part of a crowd of eight to 10 persons who had gathered at a public place in Malko Gali in Tajganj area of Agra, ignoring social distancing protocol.

Source: The Hindu June 24, 2020 08:26 UTC