SC grants interim stay on Allahabad HC’s order to impose lockdown in 5 cities of UP

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted an interim stay on the Allahabad High Court order to impose a lockdown in the five cities of Uttar Pradesh on account of the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

The Bench of Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian issued a notice in the appeal filed by the Uttar Pradesh government returnable in two weeks.

“In these circumstances, there shall be an interim stay on the judgment of the High Court. However, the Uttar Pradesh government shall immediately inform the High Court of steps it has taken and to be taken in future,” CJI Bobde ordered.

Uttar Pradesh government approached the Supreme Court today following Allahabad High Court’s Monday order to impose a near-total lockdown in the five worst-affected cities of the state.

“We have done a lot of things and many things have to be done. We are not going into merits but please allow circulation today since five cities are involved,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, speaking on behalf of the state government told the Court this noon.

To which, the apex court has asked the state government to inform the High Court of the steps taken to address the pandemic situation within two weeks.