In Brief
During India's COVID-19 lockdown, millions of migrant workers became stranded and unemployed. This suo motu petition addressed compliance with earlier interim directions and the ongoing crisis facing these workers. The Supreme Court held that all States must transport remaining stranded workers home within 15 days, simplify and decentralize registration at police stations and local offices, establish counselling centres to inform migrants of welfare schemes and employment opportunities, and maintain detailed records of returned workers. The Court directed that criminal complaints lodged against migrants for moving during lockdown under the Disaster Management Act should be withdrawn, as their movement was forced by economic necessity, not willful violation. Railways must provide additional trains within 24 hours on demand. The judgment emphasizes that government policies must be rigorously implemented with human oversight, not merely on paper, and that the vulnerable migrant population requires systematic rehabilitation support.
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