'Some Policy Should Be There': High Court Tells Delhi Govt. In Plea For Vaccination Of Prisoners

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the Delhi Government to apprise the Court regarding steps taken for vaccination of undertrial prisoners/ convicts, to prevent spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the prisons.

"Some policy should be there," a Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh observed while directing the State to file a detailed affidavit, highlighting whether vaccination is going on in jail for those already lodged therein/ newcomer undertrial prisoners and convicts.

It further directed the Respondent authorities to highlight as to how it is planning to administer the 2nd dose of vaccines to those eligible. The Court also expects the prison authority to highlight whether any periodical health checkup is conducted at jails, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The direction was made while hearing a petition filed by Advocate Abhilasha Shrawat, seeking measures for vaccination of prisoners and convicts who were granted interim bail by the High Powered Committee (HPC) for decongestion of prions.

"Those inmates who are inside the jail is one issue. But those outside is also an issue. My prayer is also for vaccination of those who are on interim bail. State's affidavit is silent on this aspect. We have to take precautions as they will ultimately come back and there is a risk of infection," Advocate Rahul Sharma argued for the Petitioner.

Advocates Nandita Rao and Amit Peswani, appearing for the Respondents, assured the Court that all persons are being vaccinated. "We will file another status report about how many have been vaccinated," they said.

Peswani further informed the Court that all inmates are made to surrender at the Mandoli Jail Complex where they are kept in 14 days' quarantine before being shifted to their respective prisons.   

"It's not that only one person will be inside an isolation cell. Therefore vaccination is more prudent," Sharma countered.

Taking note of the above, the Bench has granted time to the respondents to file a counter-affidavit, setting out the details mentioned above. The matter is posted for hearing on September 16.

Case Title: Abhilasha Shrawat & Ors. v. State (NCT)