"Do Not Insist On Production Of Aadhar Card As Only ID Proof For COVID Vaccination, Other Recognized Options Available": Meghalaya HC To State

The Meghalaya High Court has recently requested the State Government to not insist on production of Aadhar card as the only proof of identification for the purpose of administering covid-19 vaccination.

Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder and Justice H.S. Thangkhiew reasoned that there were other recognized options available to a citizen of this country to show their proof of identity.

"In some places in the State of Meghalaya and particularly in remote villages, there are eligible persons who cannot be vaccinated simply because they do not possess any AADHAAR Card. We would request the State not to insist on production of AADHAAR Card as the only proof of identity since there are other recognised options available to citizens of India to present their proofs of identity," the bench said.

The Court was dealing with a suo motu PIL concerning orders issued by the State Government making vaccination mandatory for shopkeepers, vendors, local taxi drivers etc. before they can resume their businesses. 

The Court was also informed by the Registry that the Secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities had prepared extensive reports, summary of which shall be forwarded to the Advocate General and the concerned authority of the State enabling them to respond to such reports on the next date of hearing.

In view of this, the Court adjourned the matter to four weeks.

Earlier, the Court had ruled that mandatory or forceful vaccination does not find any force in law and hence are to be declared as ultra vires ab initio. It had then issued a slew of directions for encouraging vaccination among citizens and removing any apprehensions in this regard from their minds.

The Court had also decided to monitor the issue closely so that the State Government was able to overcome the vaccine hesitation problem at the earliest and that all eligible persons in the State are therefore vaccinated well within the timeframe as may be specified by the State.

Earlier this month, the bench had also directed the State police to take immediate action against people spreading rumors about the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccine on various social media platforms.

Title: Registrar General, High Court v. State of Meghalaya

Click Here To Read Order