It’s a huge relief!  Maharashtra government has agreed to drop all lockdown violation complaints against students and citizens

In a remarkable move, Maharashtra’s Maha Vikas Aghadi administration has agreed to drop all proceedings filed against students and ordinary individuals for violating lockdown orders during the Covid-19 pandemic’s first two years. This judgement will provide relief to thousands of people who have been caught up in legal quarrels that were unnecessary.

The complaints were largely brought under Indian Penal Code Section 188, according to state Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil, and the idea would be presented to the state cabinet for approval. Following the cabinet’s approval, all such cases submitted across the state would be returned, Walse-Patil said here on Tuesday.

Thousands of complaints were filed against students, youth, and ordinary individuals, including some families, throughout the pandemic and the series of lockdowns enacted, particularly during the first and second Covid-19 waves in 2020-2021.

According to a police official, the cases were primarily for moving around during the strict curfew hours at night, going out in groups in violation of the prohibitory orders, people venturing out to public places such as beaches where entry was prohibited during the lockdown, families violating the rules of private vehicle travel, certain logistics and service providers exceeding the stipulated working hours, and so on.

Though the precise number of such violations is not immediately accessible and is being gathered by various agencies, the majority of cases under IPC Section 188 are expected to be withdrawn, providing significant relief to the offenders.