No complete lifting of ban on vehicles during lockdown: Orissa HC

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court (HC) today clarified that the order dated April 09, 2020, in which it directed the State Government to release the vehicles seized from lockdown violators by obtaining a undertaking, should not be constructed as complete lifting of the ban. The HC said that the order is applicable only to senior citizens and handicapped persons.

The clarification came after the Advocate General and Additional Government advocate moved the HC seeking clarification on the earlier order. They also appraised the court that adequate number of vending zones have been made available for the people within walkable distance in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) areas.

“It is made clear that the order dated 09. 04. 2020 regarding obtaining undertaking from motorcycle user thrice is applicable only to the senior citizens and handicapped persons so as to enable them to purchase essential items,” the HC’s clarification read.

“The police authorities shall also give relaxation in mobility of doctors and health workers on production of their identification and certificates,” the court further said.

Following the development, Commissioner of Police Sudhanshu Sarangi said, “As per modified order of the HC, the exemption on use of motorcycles/vehicles is only applicable to senior citizens and physically handicapped persons. However, we would still like to inform that senior citizens are most vulnerable and should not step outside.”