The Bombay High Court has directed the Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay to file a short affidavit regarding the number of bed-ridden and immobile individuals, who have been vaccinated till now.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice G. S. Kulkarni passed this order on Thursday, while hearing a PIL filed by Dhruti Kapadia & Anr.
A.A Kumbhakoni, Advocate General for the State of Maharashtra, placed before the Court the “State Policy for Covid-19 Vaccination for Bed-ridden and Immobile Individuals”. According to him, the drive to vaccinate such individuals has been started by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and till date, no adverse incidents have been reported.
Appearing for the Municipal Corporation, A.Y. Sakhare, Senior Counsel, submitted that 602 of the 4715 citizens, who registered for home vaccination, have been successfully vaccinated.
Kapadia, appearing in person, informed the Court of certain areas where improvement can be made. According to the petitioner, it is not unlikely that private doctors could be reluctant to certify that an individual is fit for vaccination or that he/she may not suffer from adverse effects following immunisation.
The petitioner submitted that as an alternate option, policy ought to permit the doctors of the Municipal Corporation to certify upon examination of the concerned individual’s physical condition. While expressing reservation about participation of NGOs in the vaccination drive, as reported by the media, she sought a clarification from the Municipal Corporation about the role of the NGOs.
Also Read: Bombay High Court refuses bail to Raj Kundra, associate
“In so far as the suggestions of Kapadia are concerned, we are of the view that the same may be forwarded to the learned Advocate-On-Record for the State, whereupon the State may consider such suggestions; and if considered appropriate and acceptable, the State may proceed to implement the same,” the Court observed and fixed August 12 as the next date of hearing.
“The Municipal Corporation is directed to file a short affidavit indicating the number of bed-ridden and immobile individuals who have been vaccinated since the drive started and whether AEFI was felt by any individual. The Municipal Corporation shall also indicate the exact role of NGOs in such drives in its affidavit. Let such an affidavit be filed by August 11, 2021,” the Court ordered.