Maharashtra Govt To Withdraw COVID-19 Violation Cases Under Section 188

In a huge relief to the people of Maharashtra, the Maha Vikas Aghadi Government announced to soon withdraw all the cases of the Wuhan virus violations against general citizens of the State.

On the 29th of March, Tuesday, Mr. Dilip Walse Patil, the Home Minister of Maharashtra, said, the Shiv Sena- Indian National Congress- National Congress Party-led MVA Government proposed to withdraw the cases, registered under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC.) The proposal would be presented before the Maharashtra Cabinet, which would take a final call. If approved, there would be no cases registered against students, the general public for violations like mask-wearing, lockdown violations, night curfew rules, and others.

If approved, the withdrawal of cases would be applicable only on cases registered during the past two years of the pandemic, under section 188 of the IPC. It is to be noted, during the first and the second wave of the Wuhan virus (2020-2021,) thousands of cases were lodged against students, youth, and common citizens, even some families, for allegedly flouting the lockdown rules.

Explaining such cases, a police official, a majority of cases were for moving around during the strict curfew hours at night, stepping out in groups flouting the prohibitory orders, people venturing out to public places like beaches where entry was banned during the lockdown, families violating the rules of travel by private vehicles, certain logistics and service providers exceeding the stipulated working hours and other such violations.