AAP MLA gets high court notice over allegation of hoarding oxygen cylinders

New Delhi: Delhi High Court issued a

notice

to

AAP cabinet minister

Imran Hussain on Friday over

allegations

that he was hoarding

oxygen cylinders

and asked him to respond and

appear

in

court

on Monday.

The court directed, “Let a notice be issued to Imran Hussain, MLA, AAP Delhi. Let notice be served on

Imran Hussain

telephonically, through WhatsApp. His email be provided to the court master. We direct Imran Hussain to file a reply and remain present,” the court directed.

Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli also issued a notice to the Delhi government, with senior advocate Rahul Mehra assuring the court that if there was any truth in the allegations about the minister or any other person involved in similar acts, action would be taken.

The petitioner’s advocate, Amit Tiwari, described the allegations as being “broad in nature”. He referred to a Facebook post and photos to indicate that Hussain had allegedly distributed cylinders in his constituency. The court, however, asked if Hussain was procuring the cylinders from outside Delhi. There would be no need for an enquiry if Hussain was not “eating away at the allocated quantity of oxygen” meant for hospitals and nursing homes in the city, the court said. “Even gurdwaras are providing oxygen,” noted the bench.

Mehra said that if there was any veracity to the allegations, the “strictest possible action” would be taken, irrespective of the person’s identity. “The party doesn’t matter, names don’t matter. There will be maximum possible punishment,” Mehra said, to which the bench responded, “There will be contempt action by us. Let’s be very clear.”

The court had earlier asked the Delhi government to appeal to the public to surrender oxygen cylinders if not needed and not hoard them. “There has to be a quid pro quo… For this purpose, roping in RWAs is a good idea. If this is done at their level, there is an understanding that if you are surrendering a cylinder, you’ll be given one as and when required,” the bench said

Mehra had also informed the bench that oxygen supply to Delhi had improved pursuant to court orders and if the capital continued to receive the allocated quantity of the gas, the state government would be able properly plan the distribution to all the hospitals and even individuals quarantining at home. “We need to see how to bring all hospitals in the fold, also the people in home quarantine,” Mehra said.

Keeping in mind the economically weaker sections, the bench suggested the Delhi government consider supplying such families with oximeters, some basic medication and perhaps a steam inhaler. Reusable items such as the oximeter and steam inhaler could be returned after recovery, the bench suggested.

The court said, “These things could be provided to the patients such as people below poverty line or those drawing rations through the public distribution system — that strata of society.” But the bench also wanted the state government to consider including senior citizens in such a scheme, including those who lived alone or were disabled.