Kerala High Court Seeks Response On Plea For Inclusion Of Advocates, Judges In COVID Vaccine Priority Group

The Kerala High Court has directed the State Government to respond on a petition seeking that advocates and judicial officers be included in the priority category for vaccination.

The matter was mentioned before a Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and MR Anitha today by Advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor.

Advocate Saiby pointed out that the State of Chhatisgarh had declared lawyers as part of the priority category for vaccination and that the Kerala Government had included media as frontline workers.

"The matter is urgent", Advocate Saiby submitted

Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan replied, "There are no vaccines here, what is the point in saying judicial officers and Advocates should be vaccinated. I also want to be vaccinated but what can be done?"

Advocate Saiby persisted saying, "Even media is treated as frontline workers....(inaudible) lordship may grant permission"

"Your Lordship knows, irrespective of the situation, we are supposed to work round the clock."

The lawyer added that the Supreme court's communication had shown a rise in cases among members of the judiciary and lawyers. Additionally, he pointed out that the situation in Kerala was also alarming.

"Like healthworkers we are also supposed to work round-the-clock, irrespective of the situation. That is why I am seeking the preference. Otherwise we are willing to stand in the queue. That is the problem, even in lockdown we are supposed to work," Advocate Saiby averred. He informed the Court that he had mailed the State Chief Secretary and the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, with his request.

"If notice goes, we can know if there is a positive step,"  he concluded his submission.

The Court directed that the matter be posted on Monday, after the State obtained instructions.

In the petition, filed by Advocate Benny Antony Parel through Advocates Saiby Jose Kidangoor, K Anand, Sibha S, Parvathy Vijayan, Mohammed Salih P M and T M Muhamed Hafees, the petitioner avers that lawyers are duty bound to meet people, hear their grievances in person, peruse the documents related to the case before placing the same before the respective courts. "Therefore, like the health workers and police, the lawyers also deserved to be treated as Front line workers by the government in the case of Covid Vaccination and treatment for Covid related diseases", the petitioner argues.

The plea therefore seeks these directions -

• That judicial officers and lawyers be included in the front line category (priority group) for Covid vaccination and other Covid-related treatment on priority basis.
• That the definition of frontline workers is expanded so that vaccinations are afforded to judicial officers and lawyers on priority basis.

In the interim, it is prayed that the Court direct the Centre and State pass appropriate orders on the petitioner's email representation pending the writ petition's disposal.