Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 5

The Supreme Court today stayed the Delhi High Court’s order asking the Centre to explain why contempt proceedings shouldn’t be initiated against it for failing to comply with the order to supply 700 MT oxygen daily to hospitals for treating Covid-19 patients.

“We will not send anyone to jail… Hauling up (officials) for contempt will not bring oxygen… let us ensure lives are saved,” a Bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud said.

However, it clarified the stay shall not operate as a restraint order on the HC which can continue to monitor allocation of oxygen to Delhi hospitals.

The order came on a petition filed by the Centre challenging the May 4 order of the HC summoning two senior central government officials to respond to contempt notice over inadequate supply of oxygen to hospitals in Delhi.

The top court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to place by Thursday a tabulated chart indicating the manner of compliance of 700 MT oxygen supply to Delhi along with sources, provisions of transportation and other logistical arrangements necessary to fulfil requirement.

“We are also in Delhi. We are helpless and have been on the phone. We can imagine what citizens are going through…we are answerable to people of Delhi,” said the Bench which was told that Delhi got 555 MT oxygen on Tuesday.