Supreme Court Dismisses PIL Seeking Covid Vaccination Registration Via Toll-Free Number

The bench of Justices D. Y. Chandrachud, Vikram Nath and B. V. Nagarathna observed that as a matter of policy, walk-in registration is now permitted and hence, the petition has been rendered infructuous by subsequent measures.

"No COWIN registration is required online now. After our June order, we have been told that walk-in registration is permitted. Come back if need arises in the future", Justice Chandrachud told the petitioner-in-person.

The judge added, "Also, a toll-free helpline also comes with the same problem of cell-phones (as the Court had acknowledged in case of the mandatory COWIN registration). You can make a call to register only if you have a cell-phone"

Justice Nagarathna also noted, "Also, then all importance would go to the toll-free registrations and walk-ins would be ignored"

On Tuesday, the bench also disposed off as infructuous another PIL seeking direction to Central Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and all States and UTs to ensure that adequate, frequent & proper Medical Treatment & Facilities is being provided to Non-Covid-19 Patients like Heart Patients, Pregnant Women, having disease with Kidney, Liver & lungs etc & patients waiting for major and minor medical operations and surgery etc. during Covid-19 Lockdown period. [G.S. Mani V. Union Of India]

"Nothing survives in this petition now. You can reserve the liberty to come again if the need arises, though hopefully it will not arise", Justice Chandrachud told the petitioner in person.

Dictating the order, the bench recorded, "The writ petition under Article 32 was instituted during the 2nd wave of the COVID pandemic on May 20, 2021. It prays for directions to the Centre and the states (1) for ensuring adequate medical facilities to the non-COVID patients amid the lockdown; (2) or ensuring that Articles 14, 19 and 21 are protected for one and all. The first prayer is rendered infructuous as the lockdown has ended. The second prayer is an over-broad one as a general direction to enforce fundamental rights has been sought without the specific factual context. This petition is accordingly disposed off as no direction is necessary at this stage"

The plea moved by Supreme Court Lawyer GS Mani claimed that due to covid 19 lockdown situation already Covid-19 patients are struggling to get proper medical treatment. They also are not getting admission, proper medical treatment and facilities in govt and private hospitals in all the States and UTs due to heavy rush in covid ward. Many hospitals have stopped their Emergency ward treatment and postponed major surgeries. Above non-covid patients need regular treatment. The Plea further claimed that the right of Public health is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. A State defined under Article 12 of the Constitution is duty-bound to protect the said fundamental right of every citizen, failing in which the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India under Article 32 is duty-bound to enforce the same.