MUMBAI: The

on Thursday asked the

government why masses are still being held in

across Mumbai.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Bhushan Dharmadhikari and Justice Nitin Borkar took suo motu cognisance of a letter written by an advocate Savina Crasto, a parishioner of Our Lady of Seven Dolours Church, Sonapur, Marine Lines, in which she urged the court to ``help curb the speared of COVID-19 in the churches." Crasto said she has addressed the letter, including to the Chief Justice of India, " with deep regret in my heart to bring to your notice the unhealthy practices taking place in the Catholic Church during this time when the spread of corona virus is rampant."

Crasto's letter said despite imposition of section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code prohibiting mass gatherings and efforts taken by the government to control the spread of the pandemic, yet in few parts including including the church where she belongs there have been said there have been unhealthy practices which are taking place irrespective of the notifications on the ban on mass gatherings. Further that there are masses conducted daily both in the morning and evening and numerous people come to the church. She referred to "distribution of Holy Communion which is received by people on their tongue which is totally not hygienic." "There is not provision made in the church for the Eucharistic ministers (lay persons) distributing Holy Communion to wash their hands with soap prior to the distribution," her letter added.

Government pleader Priyabhushan Kakade said a government resolution was already issued prohibiting mass gathering. He said State is unaware of masses still being held. " How can it be accepted that you are not aware ?" asked the ACJ. Crasto said daily masses are on and showed the court picture of huge gathering at daily mass at the Sonapur Church .``Look at the amount of people !There are so many churches in Bombay (sic),'' she said. The judges asked Kakade to take instructions and inform the court on Friday.

The court also heard PILs regarding measures to be taken to combat Corona virus spread. Mumbai University's advocate Rui Rodrigues said exams have been posted. He said regarding LLB exams the dates have been extended for payment of fees in college to April 9. He said there will be a late fee for payment upto April 17 and further enhanced late fees until April 22.``We have mitigated the problem of students' physical presence in colleges,'' he added.