Coronavirus : Pimpri-Chinchwad police files FIR against 16 shopkeeper, owners for doing business

Pimpri, March 19, 2020: Taking a strong stand, the officials from Pimpri-Chinchwad police today registered FIRs against 16 shopkeepers/owners for not closing down shops as per order of the Pune district administration in the backdrop of Coronavirus outbreak. The action was taken in Chikhli area.

Senior Police Inspector Satish Mane, in-charge of Chikhli police station, said that FIRs have been registered for offences under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

As per the order issued by the Pune district Collector yesterday, Pune City Police and Pimpri-Chinchwad police will ensure that not more than four persons are found together at any place.

The district administration has restricted the gatherings of five or more than five people in public places which includes training, camps, private tuition and also government meetings, unless for important issues.

The order states, in Pune district, be it private or public place, any function including cultural and religious, festivals, celebrations, entertainment programmes, sports and other competitions and workshops, camps, training centres, meetings, protests and tour events where five or more than five people are likely to gather will be restricted.

The order would not be applicable to railways stations, bus stands, government or semi-government offices, essential services like hospitals and medical services, cremation, grocery stores, canteens and mess for students only, competitive exams and critical national and international infrastructure projects important for the country and news channels/newspapers.

In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the district administration has asked all the private firms involved in non-essential services to facilitate work from home option for its staff or face legal action.The order is applicable companies having more than five working staff.

Till March 18, the number of Coronavirus positive patients in Pune district was 19, while in the state it has increased to 49.

District Collector Naval Kishore Ram, who is also the chairman of District Disaster Management Authority, issued the order under the Disaster Management Act 2005. Those violating the order will be prosecuted for offence under section 188 (disobedience of order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) after filling FIR against them.

Police teams in Pune and Pimpri-Chichwad have been formed to ensure compliance of the order.

Ram said that police teams will physically search the offices of private companies to check the implementation of the order on mandatory work from home.

“The order was issued after getting complaints from people that their management has been forcing them to present in office. The companies violated previous directives of encouraging work from home for its employees. Now we will
be harsh against those companies not following the diktat for work from home. Not more than five persons can be working at the office premises at one time. All the companies will have to abide by the order,” he said.