Overview

• The bench of Justices Anish Dayal and Girish Kathpalia warned that the “next COVID-19 pandemic is far from over” after noting rising community transmission.
• The court ordered the health ministry to submit by July 18 a comprehensive report on policies for sample collection, transport and testing.
• Dr Rohit Jain filed a contempt plea accusing authorities of ignoring earlier court orders on minimum standards for COVID-19 sample handling.
• During the May 30, 2023 meeting, four expert sub-committees were tasked with defining SOPs for collection centres, sample transport and storage but have not finalised their recommendations.
• According to the health ministry, India recorded 3,961 active COVID-19 cases and 32 related deaths as of June 2, 2025.