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The Allahabad High Court on Thursday adjured Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take strong steps in view of rising threat of Omicron variant of Covid-19 virus and consider stopping rallies, meetings and postponing upcoming elections.

Commending the Prime Minister for the free Vaccination Campaign, The Bench of Justice Shekhar Yadav said,

 “Our honourable Prime Minister who has begun an exercise for Corona-free vaccination in a country with such a huge population which is praiseworthy and the court praises it and request the honourable Prime Minister that in view of this frightening situation he takes strong steps and consider stopping and postponing rallies and elections because life supersedes all else (jaan hai toh jahan hai).”

The bench also urged the Election Commissioner to immediately restrict political rallies, meetings etc. gathering a large crowd. Court also asked him to issue directions to all political parties to not call for such huge gatherings and to campaign for the elections via television or newspapers.

Court said, “Today again, elections to the Vidhan Sabha in Uttar Pradesh are near for which all the parties are holding rallies and meetings and gathering crowds of lakhs and it is not possible to observe Covid protocol there. If this is not stopped in time, then the result will be more frightening than the second wave.”

Court also suggested that, if possible, the elections scheduled in February should be postponed by one or two months stating, “only if life continues then election rallies will continue.”

Essentially, the court was dealing with a bail plea. Granting bail to the accused towards the end of the order, court drew attention to the rise in cases of the Omicron variant and a possible third wave.

Justice Yadav pointed out that about four hundred cases are currently listed before the court and similarly new cases get filed regularly. He said that because of this reason, large number of advocates attend the court among whom there can be seen no social distancing and observation of Covid protocols.

The bench added that taking note of the upcoming danger due to Omicron variant countries like China, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany and Scotland have already imposed either complete or partial lockdown.

The bench, therefore, urged the Registrar General of the High Court to frame rules to deal with the covid situation at court.

Case Title: Sanjay Yadav v. State of UP