The Delhi High Court on Saturday directed the Centre to supply allocated 490 Metric Tonne (MT) of Liquid Medical Oxygen to Delhi today itself, failing which it might consider contempt action against the Central Government.
The strict directions from the High Court came after Batra Hospital of Delhi filed an urgent application regarding acute shortage of medical oxygen. During the hearing, the hospital told the court that eight patients have died due to oxygen shortage.
“We direct Centre to ensure that Delhi receives its 490MT oxygen supply today by whatever means”, a division bench comprising Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli stated during the special sitting.
“Now the water has gone over our head. Enough is enough”, Justice Sanghi told Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, who was appearing for the Centre.
“We are not asking for more than 490 MT. You have allocated it. Now it falls upon you to fulfill it”, the judge said.
The court said 490 MT per day of medical oxygen allocated by the Centre to Delhi remained only on paper as the national capital has not received the said allotment so far.
“It is for the Centre to arrange the tankers as well,” the Court added.
“In case of non-compliance we may consider initiating contempt proceedings”, the bench warned.
The bench also directed the Centre to ensure that the four oxygen tankers meant for Delhi, detained by Rajasthan, are released.
