Madras high court has dismissed the writ of mandamus by two Korean nationals who were arrested and prosecution launched by Chennai Outer GST and currently lodged in Trichy Refugee Camp after bail granted to them. They had asked to be released on grounds of conditions in the camp in times of COVID-19
Plea of Koreans at Tiruchi special camp dismissed
The Madras High Court has dismissed writ petitions filed by two Korean inmates of a special camp in Tiruchi, alleging non-adhering to social distancing norms and absence of hygienic conditions on the premises, though such measures are needed to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Justice S. Vaidyanathan rejected the cases after he was given a virtual tour of the camp through a Whatsapp video call by Special Deputy Collector S.N. Suthanthira Rajan to prove that it had enough space and the premises was hygienically maintained. “After watching the same, this court is able to see that the camp is maintained neatly and there are no stains in the toilets,” the judge said and recorded the submission that the camp had only 73 inmates, though it could accommodate 80 in 40 rooms.
Since the two petitioners, Choi Yong Suk and Choe Jae Won, had been booked and detained on charges of evading Goods and Services Tax to the tune of over Rs.40 Crore, ordering their release from the camp would set a bad precedent, he added.
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