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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta today told a bench of Justices Nageshwar Rao and BR Gavai that any attempt by a groups with vested interest which will result in vaccine hesitancy may be avoided.

The bench was hearing a PIL which has stated that vaccines are being administered to public without testing its safety and that adequate data is not being disclosed to the public

When the hearing for the matter commenced, Prashant Bhushan, Advocate, appearing for petitioners submitted that different States have started imposing their own vaccine mandates.

He cited the examples of Maharashtra where persons who are not vaccinated will stay under lockdown and Delhi wherein the government has said that government servants cannot come to office if they are no vaccinated. The bench at this point asked Bhushan to move an application to challenge these mandates.

Bhushan further argued that the centre in an RTI filed has replied that it has not imposed any mandate for vaccination. He added that  the US court of appeals has struck down vaccine mandate imposed by the State wherein private employers were directed to ensure mandatory vaccination.

The SG submitted that any attempt by groups with vested interest which will result in vaccine hesitancy may be avoided. He informed the court that crores of people are protecting themselves are faced with this minority of people who are objecting to vaccination. The SG further informed the court that anything said even orally will have severe adverse effects.

The court on hearing the parties asked the petitioner to move an application challenging the vaccine mandate of the States. The court further informed the parties that while it does not want any vaccine hesitancy, it has to hear any concern raised by any party.

Case title: Jacob Puliyel Vs Union of India