Withdrawal of prosecution against migrant labourers for lockdown violations, Supreme Court directs States & UT(s) to consider

The SC in Suo Motu petition on June 9, 2020 {IN RE : PROBLEMS AND MISERIES OF MIGRANT LABOURERS} held that all States and Union Territories shall give details of all schemes which are current in the State, benefit of which can be taken by the migrant labourers including different schemes for providing employment.

It was observed by the Bench, comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul & Justice M.R. Shah, that all the States/Union Territories shall take all necessary steps regarding identification of stranded migrant workers in their State which are willing to return to their native places and take steps for their return journey by train/bus which process may be completed within a period of 15 days from today.

The SC directed that all concerned States/ UTs to consider withdrawal of prosecution/ complaints under Section 51 of Disaster Management Act and other related offences lodged against the migrant labourers who alleged to have violated measures of Lockdown by moving on roads during the period of Lockdown enforced under Disaster Management Act, 2005.

It was also directed that the counselling centres, established shall also provide necessary information by extending helping hand to those migrant workers who have returned to their native places and who want to return to their places of employment.

The matter is further listed by the SC on 08.07.2020.