HC asks AIIMS chief-led panel to examine hotels being made Covid-19 hospitals

The Delhi High Court on Thursday formed a committee of doctors, including AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria, to inspect two luxury hotels ordered to be turned into extended Covid-19 hospitals.

“I request Mr. Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS and Dr V.K. Paul, Member of the Niti Aayog, to visit the two hotels in question and give their report on the advisability/feasibility of using these hotels as extended Covid hospitals,” said a single judge bench of Justice Navin Chawla.

The high court also said that the said hotels shall be entitled to depute one Officer each to highlight their concerns to this Committee.

“Equally, the respondents may also depute its Officers who may help the Committee and give their inputs to the said Committee,” it said.

The order came on separate petitions by two five star hotels — Hotel Surya (New Friends Colony) and Hotel Crown Plaza (Okhla) — challenging the Delhi government’s decision to use them as extended Covid hospitals.

The hotels contended that it is not advisable due to the presence of air conditioning, and lack of large lifts which are capable of being used for stretchers and other required measures.

“…the issues raised by the petitioners (hotels) would also have a bearing on whether it is advisable/feasible to use these hotels as Covid hospitals and may not lead to an adverse impact on the patients or the staff working therein,” the court held.

It said the committee shall also be entitled to take the help of other persons as may be deemed necessary in this exercise. “The Committee is requested to submit its report on or before 14th June, 2020,” Justice Chawla said.

The court will now hear the matter on June 15.

CHL Ltd-owned Hotel Surya and Hotel Crown Plaza had challenged the order of the Delhi government, saying that it is not advisable to use them as extended Covid hospitals. – IANS