[Covid-19]: Delhi HC directs processing of samples and furnishing of reports within 24/48 hours

The Delhi High Court on May 4, 2020 {RAKESH MALHOTRA v. GOVT. OF NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI & ORS.} held that Delhi Government is directed to ensure that the samples that are furnished to the accredited labs shall be processed and reports forwarded within a period of 24/48 hours. It was further directed that the Delhi Government shall continue updating its website on a regular basis to reflect the correct number of tests that are being conducted for COVID-19 in Delhi, mention the number of cases that are positive or negative and state the number of results that are pending after the tests are conducted. 

The present PIL has been filed by Mr. Rakesh Malhotra, Advocate. The petitioner has raised a grievance that the respondent No.1 and 2/GNCTD are not taking expeditious steps to furnish reports after conducting tests for COVID-19 on suspected people, within a reasonable time of 48 hours or even earlier and as a result of the said delay, the contact tracing is also getting delayed and the infection is multiplying rapidly in Delhi.

With above directions, the petition was disposed of by the Delhi HC.