(Dipak Misra, C.J. and A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud, JJ.)
Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy __________________________ Petitioner
v.
Union of India & Ors. _____________________________ Respondent(s)
Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s). 1151/2017, decided on August 20, 2018
The Order of the court was delivered by
Order
1. In the course of hearing of the petition, we sought the assistance of Mr. K.K. Venugopal, learned Attorney General for India. According to Mr. Venugopal, apart from positive law and repeal of statutes which relate to the stigma attached to leprosy patients, there has to be awareness campaign at various levels so that the people come to know that the disease is not incurable and further, after administration of the first dosage, it ceases to be contagious. Learned Attorney General would also submit that the patients suffering from leprosy, who have lost their limbs, can be brought to the mainstream of society if certain treatments are given by plastic surgery.
2. Mr. Raju Ramachandran, learned senior counsel for the petitioner submitted that pending repeal of the enactments, this Court should issue directions so that the patients suffering from leprosy live a life of dignity with decency. Regard being had to the non-adversarial submissions at the Bar, we would ask the learned Attorney General as well as Mr. Raju Ramachandran, learned senior counsel for the petitioner to give their suggestions in writing so that this Court will be in a position to issue appropriate directions.
3. Let the matter be listed on 10.09.2018.
4. In the meantime, learned Attorney General shall apprise us whether a recommendation can be made to the legislature to pass an affirmative law conferring certain rights and benefits on the persons suffering from leprosy and any statute, rule, regulation or enactment, running counter to the affirmative law, shall be treated to have been repealed.
5. Call on the date fixed.
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