JUDGMENT :

1. From the submissions made, this Court is called upon to decide the following questions:-

(i) Whether a person inflicted with physical disability arising out of Leprosy can be denied his constitutional and statutory right to food?

(ii) Whether non-preparation of ration cards, more so by the vulnerable groups, as a ground for denial of ration can be countenanced under the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013?

2. The counsel on behalf of the petitioner has put forward before us the dilemma faced by individuals suffering from Leprosy in the State of Bihar. Counsel sets forth a staggering statistic- The State of Bihar has more than 11,000 cases. Leprosy patients result in a prevalence rate of 1.12 per 10,000 cases, accounting for 14% of total leprosy cases in the country.

3. During the incumbent Pandemic, individuals afflicted with Leprosy are particularly suffering because of their evident state of affairs. This mere fact testifies individuals suffering from the said curable disease were unable to avail the most basic amenities under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in districts of Bihar such as Patna, Darbhanga, Kishanganj, Chpara and East Champaran. The pe