The Supreme Court (SC) on the 30th of April, announced a decision in favour of SOS messages seeking medical help on social media platforms.
The SC bench led by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said, “We will treat this as contempt of our court. Let us hear the voices of our citizens and not clampdown.” He further added, “It is a grave concern to me as a citizen or judge. If citizens communicate their grievances on social media, we do not want to clamp down on information.”
The Top Court also asked no state government or state police are allowed to file any first information report (FIR) or take any action against people appealing for help or putting out their grievances on social media or elsewhere during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Court was hearing a suo motu cognizance against the alarming situation of COVID-19. Recently, the SC said, considering the current situation of COVID-19 crisis, they cannot be a mute spectator and would review the situation. The Court also asked the Government of India (GoI) and state governments to submit a brief report of COVID-19 in India and their states, respectively. The submission of the report should be before 6:00 P.M., today, the 30th of April.
During today’s hearing, the Court also highlighted the matter of FIR and action taken against citizens for SOS on social media. The Supreme Court also raised the issue of the threat of civil or criminal action against people putting SOS messages on social media asking for help with regards to oxygen supply shortage or availability of medicines.
Recently, a resident of Amethi, Uttar Pradesh was booked under the criminal section of Indian Penal Code (IPC) for seeking medical help for his grandfather. In another such incident, actor Siddhartha also received threat calls reportedly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers as he criticised the GoI on Twitter for their mishandling of COVID-19 situation.
In addition, social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook have become a steady front and space for people to raise voices for help, criticism and sharing information. People are coming forward to get help to whoever requires it and to provide help. There are thousands of users posting their medical requirements, including shortage of oxygen supply or bed availability in a hospital.
The good thing is celebrities and influencers are amplifying the social posts so that help reaches people at the right time.
D.Y. Chandrachud said the judgement was not made to criticise the Central Government, healthcare infrastructure or the state governments.
He said, “We are concerned only about the health of the people and it is not to pass a value judgment.” Concluding the matter of SOS message on social media, Mr. D.Y. Chandrachud said, “Let a strong message go across to all states that we will consider it a contempt of this court if any citizen is harassed for making a plea on social media/media for making an appeal for oxygen/beds etc. Clampdown on information contrary to basic precepts. No state can clampdown on information.”
Besides digging up the aforementioned issue, the SC also enquired about the current COVID-19 situation and production of vaccines. Mr. D.Y. Chandrachud said, the Central Government should consider the plea of people and should ramp up production of vaccines. Emphasising on the same he said, “This will be the most important intervention by the central government when private manufacturers have been funded to produce vaccines.”
Continuing with the proceedings to review COVID-19 situation in India, the Supreme Court asked what has been done to provide treatment to healthcare professionals who are contacting the Novel Coronavirus.
India is witnessing a second wave of Coronavirus infection, with a minimum of 3.50 lakh cases every day. In the past 24 hours, with 3.86 lakh new cases, India crossed 19 million total cases, of which 30 lakhs were active cases and 2.8 lakh deceased cases.
If cases continue to rise like this, India may cross the United States of America and is likely to become the worst COVID-19 hit Nation. As of now, India is the second worst COVID-19 hit nation, first is the U.S.A., with 33 million cases.
Also read: COVID-19 Pandemic Second Wave In India, All You Need To Know
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