Covid-19: No Prisoner Be Denied Vaccination Merely For Not Having Identity Documents For Registration On COWIN Portal: Orissa High Court

A Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice Dr. S. Muralidhar and Justice BP Routray was hearing two petitions concerning various issues persistent in the jails in Orissa.

One, was a 15-years-old writ petition and another was a PIL filed before the High Court 7 years ago.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Gautam Mishra (amicus curiae) informed the Court that many prison inmates may not have identity documents for registration on the COWIN portal.

Accordingly, the Division Bench has directed the State Government to ensure that no prison inmate is denied vaccination only on the ground that the inmate is unable to get registered on the COWIN portal.

"Alternate arrangements should be made to ensure that vaccination is not denied to such inmate," it ordered.

Recently, the Gauhati High Court also asked the Assam Government to file its response on a suo moto PIL concerning jail inmates, who are allegedly not being vaccinated in the state.

Inter alia, the Division Bench at the Orissa High Court asked the State Government to work in coordination with the State Legal Services Authority and take time bound steps for remission of the sentences of prisoners found eligible for that benefit.

A report on the same has to be furnished before the Court on the next date, i.e., 12^th May, 2021.

Also Read: Plea In Delhi High Court Seeks Covid-19 Vaccination For All Undertrial Prisoners Who Were Out On Bail

Case Title: Krushna Prasad Sahoo v. State of Orissa & Ors.

Click Here To Download Order

Read Order