Vaccination Of Prisoners- "Vaccines Not Available, Inoculation Programme Progressing Slowly": Govt. Tells Uttarakhand High Court

The Uttarakhand Government on Monday submitted before the Uttarakhand High Court that as of June 8, it has been able to vaccinate 2813 inmates, however, as the vaccines are not presently available, the inoculation program is progressing slowly.

A Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma was dealing with a PIL filed regarding the state of prisoners amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The High Court had, on Thursday (May 6) issued a slew of directions to the Uttarakhand Government and had asked the Jail Department and the Principal Secretary, Home / Prison, State of Uttarakhand, to ensure that the number of the prisoners being inoculated is drastically increased.

In compliance of the May 6 order, a short counter-affidavit had been filed by the Inspector General of Prisons, Uttarakhand who stated that 2813 inmates have been vaccinated so far and the remaining inmates shall be vaccinated in a systematic manner, and at a rapid speed.

Moreover, it was also informed that the High Powered Committee had met on May 17, 2021 and it considered parole of 106 convicts and interim bail application for 685 under-trial prisoners.

Notably, out of 106 convicts, 92 were granted parole by the Committee and the next meeting of the High Powered Committee is scheduled to be held this month.

With regard to the E-Mulakaat, the Inspector General submitted that all the jail Superintendents have been directed to convene the Video Conferencing through E-Mulakat, or through any other portal.

Also, it was submitted that the Chairman of the Bar Council has also been informed that, in case, the prisoners wish to have a conference with the Advocates or the family members, they can use the facility of E-Mulakaat.

Therefore, noting that the directions issued by this Court have been duly complied with, the Court observed that no further direction needed to be issued by this Court and thus the writ petition stood disposed of.

In related news, dealing with a petition filed by under-trial prisoners, currently locked in the Central Jail-6 Tihar, seeking certain directions for the provision of certain facilities in the jail, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday (May 5) issued a slew of directions.

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