Hearing in Delhi HC over plea challenging Rs 500 fine for not wearing mask when driving alone

January 7, 2021

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court will today resume hearing on a plea challenging a Rs 500 challan issued to a petitioner by Delhi Police for not wearing a mask while driving alone.
The petition argued that the police officer issuing the challan failed to provide any executive order that makes it mandatory for a person travelling alone in a private vehicle to wear a mask.

Delhi high court hearing over mask fine

During the earlier hearing, the Delhi govt clarified that wearing masks while driving was mandatory and the April 4, 2020 order remains in force.
However, the petitioner argued that after the April 4 order of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, a press conference was organized by the union health minister in which it was said that people driving alone in the car are not required to wear a mask.
The court had asked the govt to put on record its final stance.
The petition has sought quashing of the challan, refund of the Rs 500 paid as fine and compensation of Rs 10 lakh for mental harassment suffered by the petitioner.