Terming the massive resurgence of Coronavirus cases a “national crisis”, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said it cannot remain a “mute spectator” and made clear that its suo motu proceeding on devising national policy for COVID-19 management is not meant to supplant high court hearings.

A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said the HCs are in a better position to monitor the situation within their territorial boundaries and the SC was playing a complementary role and its “intervention must be understood in the correct perspective” as there are some matters which transcend the regional boundaries.