Case: W.P(C) 5043/2021, Court on its own Motion on 27.04.2021.
Facts of the Case
On 25.04.2021 an order was issued by the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) by Ms Geeta Grover, Incident Commander/ SDM, Sub-Division Chanakyapuri under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act. The said order stated that on the request from the Delhi Court, the Delhi Government has ordered that 100 rooms at Ashoka Hotel (a five-star facility) be set aside for Covid Health Centre (CHC), for the Judges, the Judicial Officers of the Court and their family members. The said facility is to be linked to Prime Hospital, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
The High Court of Delhi came across several media reports published in daily newspapers and other media channels about the same and an inquiry was made.
Court’s Observations
An inquiry was made from Ld. Registrar General of the High Court of Delhi as to whether a request for setting aside rooms in Ashoka Hotel or any other hotel had been made to the GNCTD, either for the Judges of the Court, or the judiciary subordinates, or their family members. The Court was however informed that no such request in respect of any hotel has been made. Further, the Court stated that the GNCTD, on its own, has proceeded to issue the order dated 25.04.2021 to set aside 100 rooms at Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi for the creation of a CHC for the use of Judges, Judicial members, or their family members.
Court’s Judgement
The Court issued an order on 27.04.2021 stating that it is inclined to suo moto take cognizance of the newspaper/media reports published regarding the same. The Court also directed to issue a notice to the GNCTD through the Chief Secretary and also to Ms Geeta Grover who issued the same order dated 25.04.2021. The Court also stated that this order should be registered as public interest litigation.
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