In the midst of the three-day relaxation in COVID-19 restrictions announced in Kerala for upcoming celebrations of Bakrid festival, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the state government to record its response during the day on an application against the decision.

On July 17, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced the concessions at a press conference and said that in perspective on Bakrid (Eid-ul-Azha) being praised on July 21, textiles, footwear shops, gems, extravagant stores, shops selling home appliances and electronic items, a wide range of repairing shops and shops selling essential items shall be permitted to open on July 18, 19 and 20 from 7 AM to 8 PM in class A, B and C areas.

The matter came ready for hearing in the summit court before a seat of Justices R F Nariman and B R Gavai.

After the counsel appearing for Kerala said he would document answer to the application, the seat asked him to do as such during the day and said it would take up the matter for hearing as first thing on Tuesday.

The application was documented in the matter in which the top court had last week taken suo motu cognisance of media reports on the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to permit Kanwar Yatra in the midst of the COVID pandemic.

During the hearing conducted through video-conferencing, the seat perused the oath recorded by Uttar Pradesh government which said Kanwar Yatra won’t be permitted this year because of the pandemic.

The seat said the authorities at all levels should make a stern and brief move against any untoward incident which straightforwardly affects the lives of citizens.