According to the reports, two people in Navi Mumbai and one in Mumbai have been booked for violating the mandatory home quarantine advisory given the virulent COVID-19 crisis, after they landed in the country from locations affected by the pandemic.
As per officials, a 24-year-old student, a resident of Seawoods housing society had returned from the UK to India on 17 March. Despite being advised by the civic authorities to remain in home quarantine till 31 March, he reportedly went to meet his friend at Dombivali in neighboring Thane, flouting the quarantine orders.
Acting on a complaint by society members who stated that the student is not following the quarantine orders and has been roaming freely, civic authorities visited the student’s home. However, they were told by the student’s father that he had gone to meet a friend in Dombivali to find out details about an online course.
Subsequently, on Monday, the NRI police station in Navi Mumbai registered an offense against the student under Sections 269 (negligent act likely to spread infectious diseases dangerous to life), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code.
As per officials, the student has now been kept at a quarantine facility in Thane.
In another similar case, a 34-year old man who had returned from London and violated home quarantine advisory has been charged under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code at Nerul Police station in Navi Mumbai.
Simultaneously, on 24 March, Malad police in Mumbai has booked a 57-year-old man for violating his home quarantine advisory, who had reportedly arrived from Dubai on 16 March. Sources stated that he was found roaming at Liberty Garden in Malad (West Mumbai). He was charged under sections 269 (negligent act likely to spread infectious diseases dangerous to life), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code.
In yet another similar case, the civic team visited a Sanpada apartment of a couple who had returned from Dubai, last week and were advised to be quarantined. While the man was present at home, his wife had allegedly gone to visit her son in Santacruz. Later, Sanpada police booked the woman under sections 188, 269 and 270 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for violating the order and for the negligent and malignant act likely to spread the infection.
Although police have not formally detained the people who violated quarantine orders, however, they are charged and given a notice specifying that action against them will be initiated later.
According to the officials, all those who have come from abroad and who have been tested negative for COVID-19, have been asked by the state administration to remain in home quarantine for 14 days. The administration had also issued instructions that if anyone is found violating the said orders, action should be taken on them.
