The Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation filed against Public Sector Enterprises. Advocate Anil K. Aggarwal filed the petition as petitioner-in-person. It sought directions against the operations of Public Sector Enterprises amid the lockdown. Allegedly, these Enterprises like SAIL, NBCC et cetera opened their offices illegally amid the nationwide lockdown. The Enterprises stand accused of wrongly identifying and equating themselves to government departments/offices.
During the hearing, the petitioner raised concerns regarding Public health and Safety. Aggarwal said that the illegal opening of offices and resumption of operations of unexempted government owed Public Sector Enterprises threatens public safety. Moreover, they deal with non-essential goods. Petitioner argued that the resumption of operations by these Enterprises is against the advisory issued by the government. Hence, it violates the restrictions, and preventive measures taken by the government of NCT of Delhi to contain the spread of COVID-19 and the practice of social distancing.
Additionally, the enterprises overlooked the health safety concerns of their employees and family members which could make it difficult to contain the spread of the coronavirus. However, the bench comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan, SK Kaul, and BR Gavai did not entertain the matter. Being that, it dismissed the petition. Notably, while observing the increasing practice of Advocates appearing as Petitioner-in Persons, the Apex Court raised questions over it.
