In a letter to the defence ministry, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that the city's health system was overrun and requested assistance from the Army.
The Delhi government has asked the Indian Army for help in establishing hospitals in the national capital with oxygen and intensive care units to handle COVID-19 patients.
Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, who is representing the Delhi government, said that a letter has been submitted to the Defence Minister in this respect, but that it would take a day or two to fructify.
"It was communicated to the Raksha Mantri by the Deputy Chief Minister. This will take a day or two to fructify," Mehra said reading out the letter seeking the help of the army.
The Court was hearing a case about COVID-19 and the national capital's oxygen shortage. Senior Advocate Abhinav Vashisht, who was representing the applicant, made the submission., said that it is “high time Army is roped in”.
Senior Advocate Krishnan Venugopal said, "The only way.. this is high time that armed forces be brought in. Armed Forces have tankers and the ability to do everything."
He later asked, "Can the Delhi govt also make a request to the local commanders who are in charge of Delhi establishment so that coordination time is reduced?"
The case is currently being heard by Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli.
India reported 3,68,147 new coronavirus cases on Monday (May 3, 2021), bringing the total number of cases in the world to 19,925,604 since the pandemic began in January 2020. After passing the 4-lakh mark for the second day in a row, the regular infection count has fallen. The death rate increased by 3,417, bringing it to 2,18,959.
