BOMBAY HC: IS AADHAR MANDATORY FOR INMATES TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE
For Thursday, the Bombay High Court told the Maharashtra government and the central government that the Aadhaar card is necessary for inmates to get a vaccine against Covid-19. A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Dutt and Justice GS Kulkarni was hearing public interest litigation regarding the spread of Covid-19 in jails across Maharashtra. Professor Vijay Tata Raghavan of Tata Institute of Social Services informs the court. He explains that many inmates did not get vaccinated due to a lack of valid Aadhaar card.
The court said that it is very important to have an Aadhaar card to identify the Covid-19 vaccination and to maintain a nationwide database and the court said that the central and state governments have to find a solution for vaccinating citizens across the country, especially prisoners, who may not have an Aadhaar card. The High Court told the Maharashtra government, if a prisoner does not have an Aadhaar card, it should be investigated and arranged.
Advocate General(AG) Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, appearing for the state government, replied that the issue of the Aadhaar vaccination was a pressing issue in most districts as some prisoners were foreign nationals. He said they cannot have a base. Prison officials have already written to the central as well as state authorities about the translation issue of the Aadhaar card for the vaccine.
The court asked the government whether it is possible to organize vaccination camps within the districts and said that making the Aadhaar card mandatory for inmates for a vaccine is an important policy issue in which Pan India ramification will take place.
The High Court has directed (AG) Santosh Kumbhakoni to hold a further discussion with Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, counsel for the Center, on 4 May, the next date of hearing.
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