Karnataka HC takes suo motu cognisance of rise in dengue cases, seeks state response

The High Court court took note of a letter written by a newspaper reader to its editor and related news reports about the dengue outbreak

The court also took note of incidents such as the death of an 11-year old of possible dengue after collapsing in a temple, as well as the surge of infections in Mahadevpura and fresh cases reported in Mysuru. File photo

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday took suo motu cognisance of the recent rise in dengue cases in the state on the basis of a letter to the editor sent to a newspaper along with related news items.

The letter in question called for the Karnataka government to declare a medical emergency with regard to the dengue outbreak, adding that the slow response of the health department had worsened the situation.

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The court, which invoked its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution to initiate the suo motu case, also cited the fundamental right to health.

A notice was then served to the state government and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, directing them to furnish by July 23 details of preventive steps taken to check dengue and availability of infrastructure as well as public awareness and mosquito-control measures they have undertaken.

Advocate-General Shashi Kiran Shetty submitted that the state government would file a response.

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