The Supreme Court issued a series of vital directions, yesterday, to the Central and State governments to ensure the effective implementation of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 (HIV Act).

The Court further directed all Courts, Tribunals, and quasi-judicial bodies in the country to prioritise the cases relating to HIV-infected persons for early disposal as per the mandate of Section 34(2) of the HIV Act.

The Bench comprising Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Justice Dipankar Datta was hearing an appeal against a judgment of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission(NCDRC) which denied the compensation claimed by an ex-Indian Air Force official who contracted HIV during a blood transfusion at a military hospital. The Court passed these directions while awarding 1.5 crore rupees compensation to the ex-official.

The Court also directed that steps should be taken to keep the identity of HIV-infected persons anonymous.