Upload, highlight order allowing non-residents to obtain e-pass to cross border in medical emergencies: Delhi HC directs Delhi Govt

The Delhi High Court today directed the Delhi Government to upload and highlight on its website the order allowing any person to obtain an e-pass to enter the national capital in case of a medical emergency. .The order was passed by a Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan in a public interest litigation preferred by Advocate Kushagra Kumar. .The Petitioner had sought directions to Delhi Government to de-seal Delhi borders with immediate effect. .The Petitioner's primary concern was with regards to the denial of medical treatment in hospitals funded by the Central Government, such as AIIMS, to non-residents of Delhi due to the borders being sealed. .It was contended that the Delhi Government's order sealing the borders of the national capital which housed central hospitals was illogical, irrational and unconstitutional in view of Articles 14, 19, 21 of the Indian Constitution. .The Court was also informed that the Notification sealing the borders was not even available in the public domain..In response, the Delhi Government argued that the Petition had been preferred without ascertaining the facts and that there were no abolsute restriction on the entry of persons to avail healthcare facilities in case of an emergency in the city. It was stated that an e-pass could be obtained by such persons to secure their entry..The Court took note of the order passed by the Delhi Government on June 1, which allowed any person to apply for an e-pass in case of a medical emergency to enter Delhi. .In view of the above, the Court proceeded to dipose of the Petition with a direction to the Delhi Government to upload the June 1 order on its websites in a prominent manner, by today itself. .The Court directed the Delhi Government to highlight the Order to facilitate easy access to citizens..Delhi Government was represented by Additional Standing Counsel Sanjoy Ghose with Advocate Urvi Mohan..Petitioner was represented by Senior Advocate HP Sharma..In a related development, the Supreme Court today asked the officials concerned from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana Governments to convene a meeting and evolve a common portal/pass system to enable interstate movement in the NCR region within a week..Centre, Delhi, UP, Haryana officials to hold meeting to consider common portal/pass to facilitate interstate commute in NCR, Supreme Court.The Supreme Court was dealing with a petition concerning the issue of difficulties faced by the people of NCR region owing to restrictions in inter-State movement.