JUDGMENT :

S. Pujahari, J.

Heard Mr.S.K.Dash, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. A.K.Parija, learned Advocate General appearing for the State-opposite parties through Video Conferencing mode.

2. This writ petition has been preferred by Ananga Kumar Otta, an Advocate of Orissa High Court Bar Association, by way of Public Interest Litigation, with a prayer to issue a writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the appropriate authority to take stern action against the persons for whose connivance or negligence, the identity of persons infected/affected by Corona virus (COVID-19) could be divulged and accordingly, prayed to direct the appropriate Government authorities to frame Rules/Guidelines and take steps for ameliorating the problems of persons infected/affected by COVID-19, so as to ensure that they are not stigmatized or victimized.

3. The petitioner in this writ petition had given several instances of stigmatization and harassment of Covid-19 patients throughout the country for disclosure of the identity. Furthermore, he has also given instances where the Government of Or