In Madhya Pradesh, the High Court has taken to directing bail/ anticipatory bail applicants to register as “COVID-19 warriors” and to download the Aarogya Setu COVID-19 tracking app to secure their release from prison.
In some orders, the applicants for bail have also been directed to deposit contributions to the Central Government’s PM CARES COVID-19 fund.
Justices Sheel Nagu and Rajeev Kumar Shrivastava, either sitting singly or as a Division Bench, have passed several orders wherein the bail applicant has been directed to register as a COVID-19 Warrior to secure release from prison.
Justice Sheel Nagu
All such orders are similarly phrased, with the Court adding a note that it expects the petitioner or applicant to:
“rise to the occasion to serve the society in this time of crises to discharge his fundamental duty of rendering national service when when call upon to do so as per Article 51- A(d) of the constitution.”
Such orders have been passed in cases involving charges of offences such as excise violations, dowry, robbery, dacoity, murder, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, rape, forgery, cheating and corruption, among others.
In some of the orders passed by Justice Pathak, the Court has also directed the applicant to deposit money to the PM CARES Fund as a condition for release. The donations directed to be made range from Rs 1,000 and Rs. 2,500 to Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000.
