Putting officers in jail won't bring oxygen: SC as Centre moves top court over HC's contempt notice

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the central government, said it was unfortunate to have contempt proceedings initiated against the Centre while it was doing its best to tackle the shortage of oxygen.

On Apr 30, the Supreme Court had asked the central government to rectify the oxygen shortage crisis in Delhi by May 3 midnight.

Taking note of the order, the Delhi High Court issued a show cause notice to the central government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing massive criticism over the second wave of the pandemic, which has led various hospitals overwhelmed with patients, for holding rallies in election-bound states in March-April and allegedly not focussing on the crisis.

The central government has been slammed over the shortage of Oxygen supplies in hospitals and also the export of Covid-19 vaccines to foreign countries at a time the inoculation drive took a hit due to shortage of the doses.

As per various media reports, the Covid-19 toll in the country is a mask hiding a much greater figure of deaths apparently occurred due to the contagion.

In various images, pyres were seen burning round the clock while several parking lots were converted into crematoriums.