Delhi HC asks authorities to treat as representation plea on WHO guidelines for disinfectants

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Centre and the Delhi government to treat as representation a plea seeking proper implementation of the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation on spraying disinfectants in public places, offices and on individuals. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan, conducting the hearing via video conferencing, directed the concerned authorities to look into the representation while keeping in mind the WHO guidelines as also vario circulars issued by the center and Delhi government.

The court disposed of Susheel Mahajan’ plea filed, through advocates N Pradeep Sharma and Harsh K Sharma, saying disinfectants are chemicals that destroy disease causing pathogens or harmful microorganisms and it is advised that their spraying on individuals or groups is not recommended under any circumstances as it is physically and psychologically harmful.
“Even if a person is potentially exposed with the COVID-19 virus, spraying the external part of the body does not kill the virus that has entered your body. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that they are effective even in disinfecting the outer clothing/body in an effective manner.