COVID-19 Lockdown In Odisha: HC Asks Govt To Release Seized Vehicles

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Thursday directed the state government not to seize the vehicles of the people for violating lockdown guidelines.

While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanju Panda and Justice Biswanath Rath ordered the release of the vehicles after receiving an undertaking from the owner.

“Further, such vehicles shall be released at least thrice without imposing fine and only on the above undertaking,” the order said.

The rider/owner will give in writing that he/she will not use the vehicle further to violate the rule. A person is allowed to furnish an undertaking thrice, the court said.

The court directed that the vehicles seized during the lockdown in the last few days should be immediately released.

Referring to the restriction on the movement of vehicles during the lockdown period, the court said that as people are not getting essential commodities within a walkable distance, the government has to make necessary arrangements to provide essential commodities near their house through a specific guideline. Till such period, people should not be harassed, the court observed. The court urged the police to look into the matter from a humanitarian angle.