After Centre Says 200-Crore COVID Vaccinations Crossed, Delhi High Court Disposes Of PIL Seeking Door-to-Door Inoculation

Following the Centre's submission that more than 200 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered across the country, the Delhi High Court has disposed of a Public Interest Litigation seeking a helpline for assistance of those registering for inoculation.

A bed-ridden senior citizen had approached the court last year, stating she was at a high risk of getting exposed to the virus if she wishes to go out to the vaccination centre. It was stated that she was suffering from arthritis. Accordingly, her PIL also prayed for framing of an urgent policy for door-to-door vaccination of super-senior and bed-ridden citizens in the national capital.

A central government counsel in a recent hearing told the court that the State has carried out door to door vaccination and more than 200 crore doses have been provided to the people across India. The counsel submitted that no further orders are required to be passed in the PIL.

Following this, the division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad said:

"Learned Counsel for the Petitioner was fair enough in stating before this Court that no further orders are called for in the present PIL keeping in view the massive vaccination drive initiated by Government of India in view of the COVID-19 Pandemic. In light of the aforesaid, the present PIL stands disposed of".

The PIL had argued that many super-senior and bed-ridden citizens do not have the requisite facilities to get themselves registered on CoWin Application. It was also stated that many foreign countries like Singapore and Australia had a system of vaccinating old aged and bed ridden citizens at their home by sending a medical team.

"Because it is obligatory duty of the respondent no. I and 2 to take care of super senior and bed ridden citizens so denying the vaccine by not introducing a helpline number for registration of COVID-19 vaccine and a policy on urgent basis for door to door covid-19 vaccination for super senior and bed ridden citizens in Delhi is against the fundamental right to life of a citizen," the plea read.

Title: Dhiraj Aggarwal v. UOI & Anr.

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Del) 931