FIR if larvae found on premises: ADC

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 19

In the aftermath of heavy rain – fearing the outbreak of dengue – the district administration has already decided to register an FIR against the owner, if dengue larvae is found at his/her house.

The decision came after Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Showkat Ahmad Parrey participated in a mass dengue awareness drive on Friday.

During the drive, the ADC himself inspected houses in Ranjit Nagar. During inspection sheer negligence on the part of residents came to the fore as dengue larvae was detected in desert coolers of almost every household.

Sensing the possibility of dengue outbreak, the ADC immediately asked officials of the Health Department and the Municipal Corporation (MC) to book repeated offenders. 

District Epidemiologist, Dr Sumeet, said, “Under Section 269 of the IPC, punishment is six months’ imprisonment and a fine. A maximum of up to two years’ imprisonment can be given under Section 270.”

“If someone is a repeated offender an FIR will automatically be registered against him/her. We want to make Patiala a dengue-free city and for that community participation is a must,” said ADC.

Talking to Tribune, ADC Showkat insisted that first-time offender would be issued a challan, but a case would be registered against those found repeating the offence.

43 challans issued

During the drive, as many as 43 challans were issued after teams of the District Health Department and Municipal Corporation detected dengue larvae breeding in various residential areas of the city. Till now, 4,45,201 houses have been covered by the Health Department for dengue larvae.