Have you collected fines from MP Tejasvi Surya for not wearing mask: Karnataka HC asks State Govt

The Karnataka High Court, on Thursday, asked the State government whether or not it has levied fine from Member of Parliament and advocate Tejasvi Surya and other political leaders for not wearing masks while attending political rallies. .In this regard, Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Vishwajith Shetty queried,."Have you collected fines from Member of Parliament (Tejasvi Surya) and other political leaders for not wearing masks? What signals are you sending,"the High Court asked. .The court was hearing a plea alleging that the National Directives for COVID-19 Management, part of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines, were not being followed in Karnataka..The government advocate, on Thursday, furnished a report submitted by a police officer which stated that Surya had not flouted social distancing norms. .To this, the court responded, ."How can a police officer file a report saying that the politician is wearing a mask when photographs show to the contrary?".The Court further opined that the Police were not conducting any inquiry into the said issue. .[COVID-19] "Time to act with firm hands", Karnataka HC directs State to take action against persons violating social distancing norms.The court also asked the State government about the number of permissions granted for conducting election rallies during Covid times. This question was posed after it was informed that many political rallies were conducted in the State without observing social distancing rules or wearing masks. .Petitioner advocate Ramesh Puthige further submitted that not a single celebrity had been booked by the State till date for defying social distancing rules and that only commoners were fined for such infractions. .At this point, the Court observed, ."If you don't want to levy fine, then take people into custody.".[COVID-19] No machinery in place to check whether SOPs are being followed: Karnataka HC pulls up govt in plea on social distancing norms.During the previous hearing, it was alleged by the petitioner that the norms were violated during a recent rally in which Surya had participated. .The matter has been adjourned for further hearing on November 9.