Ritik Gupta
Delhi Government on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that “any person” scampering around in his personal or official vehicle must wear face masks compulsorily.
Delhi Government in its affidavit submitted that protocols are very clear cut and said, “Further, this implies to all “public places,” and a personal vehicle falls in the said category and cannot be said to be a “private zone` as contended by the petitioner in the instant case”.
The government’s response came on a plea filed by petitioner and lawyer Saurabh Sharma challenging the Rs 500 challan issued to him for not wearing a mask while he was driving alone in his private car.
Sharma`s advocate Joby P Varghese acquainted the court about a press meeting organized by the Union Health Ministry elucidating that persons are not required to wear a mask if steering alone in a car.
Ministry`s advocate pursued more time to file the reply. The court allowed the ministry plea yearning two weeks to file its response.
After that, a single-judge bench of Justice Navin Chawla logged the matter for January 7.
The court listened to a petition striving a refund of the Rs 500 fine inflicted against him and reimbursement of Rs 10 lakh for publicly resulting in mental harassment.
According to petitioner Saurabh Sharma, on September 9, Delhi Police issued a challan of Rs 500 for not wearing a mask, albeit he was alone in the car while driving to work. The petitioner argued that the DDMA protocols only state that the mask must be worn in a public or workplace.
