Delhi High Court orders immediate removal of masked wearer from plane

New delhi date. 10 March 2021 Wednesday

The Delhi High Court has issued a stern statement on the worrying situation of passengers not wearing masks properly on the plane and has issued guidelines to all domestic airlines and DGCAs for strict compliance in this regard. This includes punitive action for violators and periodic inspections of the aircraft.

Justice C Hari Shankar observed that the passengers were not wearing masks properly at the airport. He monitored the situation and issued immediate guidelines for compliance. The High Court said in its order passed on Monday that it was compelled to pass the order due to a dangerous situation which the judge had witnessed during an Air India flight from Calcutta to New Delhi on March 5.

In which the judge found that all the passengers were wearing masks but some were wearing masks under their mouths. The judge said the transaction was seen not only during the flight from the airport but also inside the plane. He wore his mask well after repeatedly teasing the passenger. The judge said that when asked in this regard with the crew members, he said that all the passengers were instructed to wear masks. But they are helpless if they do not follow this.

The court said such a situation comes at a time when cases of Kovid-19 are on the rise again in the country. The court said passengers on a plane are in a closed air-conditioned environment and even if one of the passengers suffers from Covid-19, it could have a dangerous effect on the other passengers.

The guidelines prepared by the court for immediate and strict compliance include periodic inspection of the aircraft by members of the flight crew. Passengers are following protocol so that this can be ensured. Especially about wearing a mask.

The hearing will resume on March 17

The court said it was made clear that the mask should be worn in accordance with government instructions. The nose and mouth should be covered with a mask. The court said that if a passenger is not willing to comply with the protocol before taking off, they should be dropped off immediately. The court said that if they refused to abide by the protocol despite being reminded, action should be taken against the passenger as per the guidelines issued by the DGCA or the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Which involves placing him in a no-fly system, either permanently or for a specified period.