The Kerala High Court will next hear the case challenging Aarogya Setu being made mandatory for all employees in the country on May 12. The court directed the Additional Solicitor General for Kerala (who was representing the Indian government) to seek instructions from the Centre within four days. Justice Shaji P. Chaly raised the concern that people who do not download the app may be prosecuted, but while dictating the order he did not stay the Ministry of Home Affairs' May 1 order that made the app mandatory for all employees in the country. The division bench of Justices Shaji P. Chaly and M.R. Anitha was hearing a public interest litigation filed by John Daniel, the General Secretary of the Thrissur District Congress Committee, over Zoom. The petition was filed on May 7 in the court, and Daniel was represented by advocates Anupama Subramanian, K.R. Sripathi and Sriram Parakkat. The Indian government was represented by advocate Jaishankar V. Nair on behalf of the Additional Solicitor General's office. The hearing was truncated due to technical issues, because of which Justice Chaly asked the central government counsel to take instruction on the matter. Subramanian pointed out that right now employers would be charged if an employee does not download the app. "That is a different matter to be considered ultimately when the matter is heard," Justice Chaly said. "It's only 4 days time. Let them take instructions so that we will have a clear picture over it." Refuting Subramanian's argument of prosecution in the interim period…
