Police register case after 100 of wedding party get diagnosed with COVID-19

Deepender Deswal
Tribune News Service
Hisar, July 18

A wedding held here at the end of June and attended by more than the permitted number of guests as set off a chain of coronavirus infections, prompting health authorities to register an FIR in the case.

The wedding of the nephew of a well-known city jeweller held at a marriage palace on June 29 saw about 150-200 guests—much above the 50 limit prescribed by authorities nationwide in an attempt to enforce social distancing rules and stop the spread of COVID-19. Although there are no official figures, sources in the district health department have said about 100 people who attended the event have so far been diagnosed with COVID-19.    

District spokesperson said a three-member panel instituted by Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Soni to investigate violations has that social distancing protocol was disregarded during the event. Police have registered a case of disobeying a public servant (section 188 of the Indian Penal Code) as well as Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act (Punishment for obstruction).

Health authorities began tracking down and isolating contacts after a family member admitted to a private hospital after showing COVID symptoms tested positive on July 2.