Covid-19: Politicians find it difficult to accept failure, says HC

The bench observed that judicial officers are working and exposing them to the risk, the way armed forces and police forces are doing

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said it is very difficult for politicians and bureaucrats to accept their failure as it is not in their veins.

The court made strong observations while expressing concerns over the condition of judicial officers who are at risk of contracting Covid-19 owing to the nature of duties.

A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh said three judicial officers have already died in the national capital and the court was of the prima facie view that they should be treated akin to frontline workers like armed forces and police forces personnel.

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The bench was not convinced with the Delhi Government's contention that the high court had earlier passed an order by which the Delhi district judges were to coordinate with district magistrates to address the medical concerns of judicial officers and their families during the pandemic and nodal officers were appointed in each district.

“Let us not get into this. That has not delivered. They are here because it didn’t bring about any satisfactory results. It is very difficult for bureaucracy and political leaders to accept their failure or inability. They will never accept their failure. This is not in their veins," the bench said.

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It said the system has to be put in place now and be prepared for the worst as nobody knows how the situation would be in future.

“You don’t expect a judge to discharge his duty when his son, daughter, wife or any other family member is seriously ill. Take steps on your own, you don’t need to wait for orders on this,” the court told senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing Delhi government.

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The counsel said that Delhi Judicial Services Association, which has filed an application raising certain issues including that facilities on the ground are eyewash, may submit the representation to the Delhi Chief Secretary who shall consider it and also convene a virtual meeting with the members of the association.

The court asked the Delhi government to address the issues and put the matter for consideration on May 27.