Tinsukia: The district adminsitration of Tinsukia has taken suo-moto cognizance in a case related to alleged violation of self-home quarantine by a pharmacist, reported exclusively by EastMojo on March 24. An FIR has been filed against the violator, with orders to shut down the Tinsukia pharmacy until further orders.
Rakesh Agarwal, “qualified person in charge” at Aran Medicos, had recently visited Rajasthan and returned on March 22, 2020. While he was stamped for home quarantine, Agarwal allegedly went to his pharmacy in the town on March 24.
Rajasthan, one of the COVID-19 affected states in the country, has also seen a surge in number of positive cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus.
Talking to EastMojo, election officer Saroj Sonowal said the district magistrate had ordered an inquiry into the allegations of violation of home quarantine by a pharmacy owner, as reported by EastMojo.
“During the inquiry, it has been confirmed that Agarwal broke the rules of self-home quarantine. He has also admitted the same in his written statement,” he added.
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“Hence, being convinced, I have ordered to shut down the pharmacy since he is also the ‘qualified person in charge’ or pharmacist. In his absence, it is not lawful to deal medicines,” Sonowal said. “I will shortly submit my report to district magistrate for further action.”
The home quarantine rules are a precautionary measure to prevent the deadly virus from spreading and requires the person stamped to stay at home for 14 days or for the period decided by local health authorities. The government has appealed to the citizens at various levels to follow all precautionary measures in the interest of everyone.
The development comes after the EastMojo correspondent informed the deputy commissioner of Tinsukia, Bhaskar Pegu, about the violation of self-quarantine following a tip.
In the meantime, a source in the district administration confirmed to EastMojo that the administration has taken suo-moto action in the case and filed an FIR against the violator of self-home quarantine.
Talking to EastMojo, officer-in-charge of Tinsukia police station, Nitul Das, said that a case has been filed against Rakesh Agarwal based on a complaint by district administration.
“The police has registered the case under section 188 and 271 of Indian Penal Code. An investigation is underway and legal action will take its course,” Das said.
