Supreme Court directs Ghaziabad Collector/DM to look into dispensation of vaccinations for inmates at shelter homes sans ID Cards

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The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Collector and District Magistrate to look into the issue of directing inoculations at shelter homes of inmates in Shelter Homes sans production of ID Cards.

A division bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice BV Nagarthna has directed the Collector/ District Magistrate after going through the genuineness of the issue to take a decision accordingly.

The petition has been filed by Ek Ehsaas Foundation stating that, "13 inmates, some suffering from dementia, few mentally retarded, 3 others in wheelchair, old age ailments, some without Aadhar and ID cards, all residing and sheltered at a place lying in the border area of Ved Vihar, Loni, Dist. Ghaziabad and Delhi, are deprived of vaccination on arbitrary factors."

The petitioner while justifying its prayer refers to Article 41 of the Constitution said, "the state shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of underserved want."

“In the case of underprivileged and most vulnerable, all-India 'vaccine-to-people' approach, instead of 'people-to-vaccine' model, along with adequate post-vaccination medical support, would be essential with the detailing done on the basis of relevant data at the level of each village and Mohalla for safeguarding their basic rights” - plea states

In the first instance, the Court directed the - petitioner to approach Delhi HC, however, after going through the issue asked the petitioner to approach  Collector/ DM of Ghaziabad.

Case Title: Ek Ehsaas Foundation and Anr. Vs. Union of India and Ors.