'EC Responsible For Second Corona Wave, Should Be Booked For Murder': Madras HC On Political Rallies Amid Covid

The court observed that the election body had failed to enforce Covid safety rules like masks, sanitizers and distancing during campaigning in 4 states and 1 Union territory.

Madras High Court (File Photo)

As India reels with the second Covid wave, the Madras High Court on Monday slammed the Election Commission for holding elections in the 5 states and allowing political rallies drawing huge crowds. 

The court said that the poll body is to be held "singularly responsible" for the Covid-19 second wave, with which the country is currently struggling. The court even went on to say that the 'officers of EC should probably be booked for murder'.

The first bench of Chief Justice Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, at the Madras High Court, made these scathing remarks while hearing a petition on facilities to ensure that Covid-19 safety norms are followed during voting in Tamil Nadu's Karur constituency.

"Were you on another planet when the election rallies were held?" the Chief Justice asked the ECI counsel, in view of the rising Covid-19 cases.

The court also noted that no political rally adhered to the protocols issued by the courts as face masks or sanitizers weren't used, nor was social distance maintained during election campaigning.

The Court has also warned to stop the vote-counting on May 2nd if EC fails to provide a blueprint of a plan to follow Covid guidelines on Result Day.

"Public health is paramount. Distressing that constitutional authorities ought to be reminded," the court said. 

"The situation is now of survival and protection, everything comes next," the court further added.

The Madras High Court directed the Election Commission of India and Tamil Nadu Chief Election Officer to consult with the Health Secretary and draft a Covid-19 protocol for the counting day and submit the same on April 30.