Coronavirus: No Section 144 In Pune As Of Now; But Police Can Take Action Under Section 144 (1) To Stop Infections

Punekars need not worry anymore, there is no move yet to impose Section 144 in Pune. The news of Section 144 being imposed in Pune and surrounding areas has been denied by authorities. 

However, the police will still be investigating people under Section 144 (1) who flouted the administration’s orders.

It was yesterday that reports come in about Section 144 in Pune.

No Section 144 In Pune As Of Now

As per TimesNow, and Times of India, Deepak Mhaisekar, Divisional Commissioner of Pune had confirmed that Section 144 will be imposed on the city, and he also said that whatever restrictions need to be placed under Section 144 (1) and (2), it will be imposed.

However, the Pune Divisional Commissioner has said that there will be no restriction on movement even if this provision was imposed.

He said that there hasn’t been any move to impose Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Pune district in order to keep the spreading of Covid-19 in check.

Pune Will Stop Coronavirus Infections

Dr Mhaisekar clarified that discussions are ongoing with the police authorities about the necessity of imposing only certain parts of Section 144 of the CrPC in the city and that too, only if necessary. Measures are already being taken to curb the spreading of the virus, and if the need arises, further restrictions will also be imposed on the city. 

Pune District Collector Naval Kishore Ram said, “People relate Section 144 with curfew and think its imposition will bring all movement to a standstill. Nothing of that sort has been invoked till now. A purely administrative order under Section 144 (1), which empowers the district police to investigate all those found violating guidelines issued by the administration to check the spread of COVID-19.”

Ram also said that the administration has already issued an advisory that asked all IIT companies to permit their employees to work from home.

He said, “As a proactive step, we are enforcing all kinds of social distancing measures. We have already closed schools and colleges, gyms, malls and even museums and have appealed to all IT firms and private companies to allow their employees to work from home wherever possible as these social distancing measures are extremely important at this stage to contain the spread of the virus.”