Allahabad HC pulls up Yogi govt, lockdown in Prayagraj, Lucknow, Varanasi & more

The Allahabad High Court on Monday ordered the Uttar Pradesh govt to close all establishments in cities like Prayagraj, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur and Gorakhpur till April 26 amid a worrisome surge in the number of Covid-19 cases across the state.

All establishments government or private, except financial institutions, medical and health services, essential services including municipal functions, and public transport, shall remain closed till April 26.

The High Court also pulled up the Yogi Adityanath-led government for its handling of coronavirus situation in the state. The court said, if the government has its own political compulsions in not checking public movements during this pandemic, it can not remain passive spectators. The court added that public health is the top most priority and call of the moment, any complacency of any degree will cause havoc to people.

The high court bench also slammed the “VVIP culture” in the state, saying if things are not arrested to give some respite to medical and paramedical staff, the entire system would collapse and relief will be confined to VIPs.