JUDGMENT

1. The visual media channel namely “Puthiya Thalaimurai” has telecasted a news item at the evening hours on 19.04.2020 (yesterday) stating among the things that a Medical Doctor, who had already health problems, suffered heart attack due to complications developed on account of COVID-19 infection. The body of the Doctor was taken to a Christian Cemetery at Kilpauk, Chennai. The residents of the area assembled at large numbers and opposed the burial of the said body.

2. As a consequence, the body was taken to Velangadu and buried. In the process, the ambulance in which the body was taken, also attacked so also the persons accompanying the body. There was a law and order and public order problem on account of the said act as a consequence, some public servants were also injured.

3. This Court with the permission of the Hon’ble Chief Justice, had taken up this matter by way of suo motu Writ Petition as a Public Interest Litigation.

4. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology of Government of India had issued summary of guidelines to deal with COVID-19. The table of Contents are 92 in numbers running to 30 pages. Source 01, Ministry of Health and Fam