No 'Covid-19 positive' to be affixed outside Covid-19 patients' homes: Supreme Court

SC said such affixing was not required unless directed by a competent authority

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said no poster of 'Covid-19 positive' can be affixed outside patients houses as of now, since the guidelines issued by the Union government do not contain any such requirement.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and M R Shah said the state governments and Union Territories can resort to the exercise only when any direction is issued by the competent authority under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The court noted the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on July 2 did not recommend for pasting of posters outside the residences of Covid-19 positive persons.

The court also pointed out a letter that has been sent by the Centre to the States on November 19 against affixing of posters or other signage outside the residences of those found Covid-19 positive.

"We only observe that no State or Union Territory is required to paste posters outside the residence of Covid-19 positive persons, as of now," the bench said in its 11-page judgement on a PIL by advocate Kush Kalra.

The court disposed of the petition which questioned continuing with the practice for being in violation of individuals' rights to privacy and to live with dignity.

The plea also sought a direction that the names of Covid-19 patients were not circulated in WhatsApp group of Residents Welfare Associations.