The Supreme Court on Friday termed the situation in Delhi “horrific” and said that bodies are being found in garbage and that Covid-19 patients are being treated “worse than animals”.

“COVID-19 patients are treated worse than animals. In one case, a body was found in garbage,” the court said and asked the Delhi government to explain the fall in testing in the national capital. 

A three-judge bench of Supreme Court was hearing case regarding lapses in proper treatment of Covid-19 patients and dignified handling of bodies after taking suo motu cognisance of the matter.

The apex court said Covid-19 patients were being stacked with dead bodies in hospitals. It said that hospitals were not even informing family members about the death of their kin.

It sought replies from Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu on suo motu case related to improper handling of Covid-19 patients. It also sought Centre’s reply by June 17 on steps taken to deal with Covid-19 patients and bodies of infected persons.

The bench directed chief secretaries to take stock of patient management system, and submit status report on hospital staff and patient care.