The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to explain why contempt action should not be initiated against it on failure to ensure oxygen supply to the hospitals in the national capital reeling under intense pressure due to the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.
A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli rejected a contention by the Centre that Delhi was not entitled to 700 metric tonnes of medical oxygen in the backdrop of existing medical infrastructure.
The court issued notice to the Union government to show cause why no action should be taken against it for failure to comply with the Supreme Court and High Court order to supply required oxygen to the Delhi government.
Making strong remarks, the bench asked Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, “are you living in ivory tower? Where are you living?”
The bench further asked just because Delhi government didn’t raise the demand people should be allowed to die.
"Is this what it has come to? You want to quibble while people are losing lives," an anguished bench asked.
Noting shortage of oxygen in Delhi, the High Court further said, “you can put your head in sand like ostrich, we will not.”
"You may be blind, but we are not. We cannot shut our eyes. This is so insensitive and unfortunate," the bench told the Union government's counsel.
The bench pointed out the top court’s April 30 order showed it directed the Centre to provide 700 MT of oxygen and not just 490 MT.
There was already a top court order and now we also say the Centre will have to supply 700 MT oxygen daily to Delhi right away by whatever means, the bench said.
The High Court pointed out it saw grim reality everyday of people were not able to secure oxygen or ICU beds in hospitals, which had also reduced the facility due to shortage oxygen.
The court sought appearance of two central government officers Piyush Goyal and Sumita Dawra to before it on Wednesday to respond to the notice.