Khopde to face more sections after NMC confirmed violation of isolation rules

Nagpur: The police department is likely to add more charges in the case against East Nagpur MLA Krishna Khopde following confirmation from Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) that he violated Covid-19 home isolation guidelines. Offences under relevant sections of Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, and National Disaster Management Act are likely to be pressed against the BJP leader.
Commissioner of police Amitesh Kumar told TOI, “We are adding more relevant sections in the case registered at Lakadganj police station.Earlier, case was against Khopde and others. We received details from NMC, which have been incorporated in the case. NMC has confirmed details in Khopde’s case. Therefore, additional sections will be registered against Khopde and not others.”
Lakadganj police were yet to add the sections till filing of this report.
On January 13, Khopde had revealed on social media that he tested positive. He was to be in home isolation for seven days as per guidelines of ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW). But on sixth day, he stepped out of home, met a large number of people, led an agitation along with BJP city president Pravin Datke and other party workers, and also submitted a memorandum to police officials at Lakadganj police station.
On January 18, Lakadganj police booked Khopde and others under section 188 and 270 of IPC, and 135 of Maharashtra Police Act for violating Covid Appropriate Behaviours and section 144. The next day, Khopde was again part of delegation of BJP legislators who met and submitted memorandum to CP.
Lakadganj police did not book him for violation of guidelines related to Covid-19 home isolation. The police had sought details from NMC.
On Thursday, NMC additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi wrote to Lakadganj police station, confirming that Khopde violated guidelines. Joshi also asked the police to take further action.
In case of violation of home quarantine by a recovered patient and high risk contacts of positive patients, the police had earlier imposed sections like 182 (use lawful power of public servant), 187 (intentionally omit to give assistance), 269 (Whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both), 290 (public nuisance), all under IPC, and sections 2, 3 and 4 of Epidemic Diseases Act-1897, and 51 (b) of National Disaster Management Act. All these were imposed apart from three sections levied earlier against Khopde.
NMC has also not levied fine of Rs5,000 on Khopde and also not placed him under institutional isolation as per its own norms.
IN A NUTSHELL
* MLA Krishna Khopde revealed on social media he tested positive
* He was to be in home isolation for 7 days as per MoHFW’s guidelines
* He led an agitation, met large number of people and submitted memorandum to police on sixth day
* Lakadganj police booked him and others under three sections for violating Covid appropriate behaviours
* Police sought details from NMC about violation of home isolation guidelines
* NMC on Thursday confirmed Khopde violated guidelines of home isolation and suggested further action
* CP Amitesh Kumar on Friday assured more sections will be added against Khopde in the same case