'Acted against prevention of Covid-19': Bombay High Court denies bail to nurse who issued false vaccination certificates

The Bombay High Court recently refused to grant any relief to a nine-months pregnant nurse who allegedly played an active role in issuing false Covid-19 vaccination certificate to various persons.

A single judge bench of Justice SG Mehare noted, "The Government was dependent on the Medicine Department. Unless the vaccine is injected no certificates should have been prepared. The serious allegation of issuing around 200 false vaccination certificates has been leveled against the applicant. The conduct of the applicant is apparently against the Government Policy of preventing the spread of Covid-19...".

Court stressed that the Covid-19 pandemic was faced by the whole world while the State at several levels took care to prevent the spread of such a life-threatening disease.

RD Sanap, Additional Public Prosecutor for the State argued before the court that the applicant had acted against the Government policy while allegedly issuing 100 to 200 fake vaccination certificates.

Court noted that the investigation officer would have to investigate how many false vaccination certificates have been issued.

"The applicant has acted against the interest of the public at large. The allegations levelled against her are apparently serious. Unless her custodial interrogation is made the investigation may not be completed to unearth the truth. Her nine months pregnancy cannot be a ground to grant her interim protection...", further remarked the bench.

Accordingly, the anticipatory bail application came to be dismissed.

Case Title: SHAHENAZ AFSAR SHAIKH vs. THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA