3 fined Rs1,000 each for violating Covid norms in Chandigarh

Ramkrishan Upadhyay
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 9

A court has imposed a fine of Rs1,000 each on three persons for violating the orders issued by the District Magistrate (DM), Chandigarh, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The police had arrested Yakub, Mushtaq and Gaurav Negi from Bapu Dham Colony, Sector 26, last year. As per the prosecution, Yakub and Mushtaq were found creating a nuisance in the Covid-hit Bapu Dham Colony (BDC), Sector 26, Chandigarh, on June 2, 2020, despite a ban imposed by the UT Administration.

Bapu Dham Colony was declared a containment zone due to an increase in the number of Covid cases. As per the guidelines of the containment zones, certain restrictions were imposed in the area.

The prosecution argued that despite the restrictions imposed by the UT Administration, both accused did an act, which was likely to spread Covid-19 infection. They violated the order promulgated under Section 144 of the CrPC passed by the District Magistrate, Chandigarh, dated March 23, 2020.

Hence, offences punishable under Sections 188, 269 and 270 of the IPC were made out against them and an FIR was registered.

The police arrested Gaurav Negi, another resident of BDC, roaming without a mask on May 17, 2020. The police also registered a case against him under Sections 188, 269 and 270 of the IPC. After the completion of investigation, a challan was presented against him.

After finding a prima facie case, a notice of accusation under Sections 188, 269 and 270 of the IPC was served upon the accused to which they all pleaded guilty and did not claim trial.

The court said since the accused had pleaded guilty with free consent and voluntarily, they had been held guilty under Sections 188, 269 and 270 of the IPC. “Considering the nature of offence, a lenient view is taken and each convict is ordered to pay a fine of Rs500 under Section 188 of the IPC, Rs200 under Section 269 of the IPC and Rs300 under Section 270 of the IPC,” said the court.

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