Bombay High Court: The Division Bench of Dipankar Datta, CJ., and G. S. Kulkarni, J., asked the Municipal Corporations if they are prepared to introduce door to door vaccination for such citizens notwithstanding disinclination of Central government to formulate policy in that regard.
The ASG, Mr. Singh had submitted before the Court the minutes of meetings of Expert Committee constituted by Central government to discuss possibility of door to door vaccination for elderly and disabled citizens. The ASG had further submitted that the Central government is considering of adopting a Standard Operating Procedure for vaccination of elderly. On the other hand, the petitioner contended that no valid reason had been assigned by the Expert Committee for not introducing door to door vaccination policy for the elderly and disabled citizens who cannot be taken to the vaccination centres.
Observing the minutes of the meetings, the Bench asked the Municipal Commissioner whether they are prepared, in spite of disinclination of to formulate door to door vaccination policy for elderly and disabled citizens to introduce door to door vaccination for such citizens and undertake measures for their vaccination upon making them aware of the aftereffects/consequences, under proper medical care and upon obtaining consent of either such citizens or their near relatives, for being vaccinated in pursuance of Court’s order.
[Dhruti Kapadia v. Union of India, 2021 SCC OnLine Bom 733, decided on 19-05-2021]
Kamini Sharma, Editorial Assistant has put this report together
Appearance before the Court:
Counsel for the Petitioner: Dhruti Kapadia (In person)
Counsels for UOI: ASG Anil C. Singh with Advait Sethna i/by Anusha P. Amin
Counsels for the State: G.P. Purnima Kantharia with Addl. G.P. Geeta Shastri
Counsel for MCGM: K. H. Mastakar
Counsel for Pune Municipal Corporation: Ahijit Kulkarni