Tripura High Court: In a writ petition initiated based on a letter dated 10-07-2024, by the Executive Chairman, Tripura State Legal Services Authority (TSLSA) seeking judicial intervention to address the alarming rise in HIV cases in Tripura, especially among the youth, a Division Bench of Aparesh Kumar Singh, CJ. and Biswajit Palit, J., directed the respondents to file updated statistics on the incidence of HIV/AIDS, including youth-specific data, to assess the effectiveness of recent measures.
The data provided by the Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS) revealed that the total registered cases are 5674 (4570 males, 1103 females, 1 transgender), deaths — 924 and affected students are 828, with 47 reported deaths. Drug addiction, especially injectable drug use, is identified as a major cause of the spread of HIV.
The Court took judicial cognizance based on the letter to ensure a strategic response to the HIV crisis. The Court impleaded the stakeholders, including the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and TSACS, to aid in combating the issue. The Court further requested for progress reports and updated statistics regarding HIV/AIDS in Tripura.
The Court noted that the key developments in the instant matter are — approval for establishing two new Facility-integrated ART Centres (Fi-ARTC) in Khowai and Gomati Districts, approval for one new District Monitoring Unit to cover Gomati and South Districts, increase in Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centres from 5 to 23, with 9 additional centres approved, expansion of testing facilities, including 24 Stand-Alone Integrated Counseling & Testing Centres and 133 Facility-Integrated Centers and taking initiatives like operationalising Mobile ICTC vans, targeted intervention NGOs, and One-Stop Centres for high-risk groups.
The Court emphasised on the need for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to achieve the target of making Tripura HIV-free by 2030.The Court directed the
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TSACS to file a progress report on the impact of steps taken over the past few months.
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Submit an updated statistics on HIV/AIDS cases, particularly among the youth
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Bring on record the resolution of the NCORD (National Narcotics Coordination Portal) and the action taken pursuant thereto.
The Court adjourned the matter or further review, with a directive for the respondents to present progress reports on next date of hearing, 20-02-2025.
[Court on its own motion v. Secy., Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, WP(C)(PIL) No.03/2024, Decided on 09-01-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
Mr. Sankar Lodh and Ms. Aradhita Debbarma, Amicus Curiae for Court on its own motion
Mr. S.M. Chakraborty, Advocate General; Mr. Bidyut Majumder, Dy. S.G.I.; Mr. Kohinoor N Bhattacharyya, G.A. and Ms. P. Chakraborty, Counsel for the Respondents