The Delhi High Court today sought response from the Aam Aadmi Party government in a petition seeking administration of COVID-19 vaccine to all prisoners and jail staff (Sharda Jain vs GNCTD). .A Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued notice in the petition preferred by a 63-year-old convict undergoing life imprisonment, Sharda Jain (petitioner). .In the petition filed through advocate Amit Sahni, the petitioner has submitted that Tihar Jail is one of the most crowded prison complexes in the country and therefore, it is humanly impossible to maintain social distancing and adhere to COVID-19 guidelines..The petitioner asserted that even the prisoners have right to health care and right not to contract any disease in prisons. .During the course of the hearing, the Court was also shown a newspaper clipping on increase in COVID-19 cases in Delhi's Mandoli jail. .At the same time, the Court today also issued notice in a petition by advocate Amit Sahni seeking a direction to defer the surrender of prisoners with multiple medical conditions, especially those above 65 years of age. (Amit Sahni vs GNCTD).Refusing to pass any interim order on this issue, the Court said that "COVID-19 is not an instrument to remain out.".The Court nonetheless asked the authorities to take action with respect to the issue of vaccination of prisoners. .Senior Standing Counsel for Delhi government, Rahul Mehra told the Court that there was no outbreak of COVID-19 in prisons and everything was under control. . The matter would be heard next on March 26.
The Delhi High Court today sought response from the Aam Aadmi Party government in a petition seeking administration of COVID-19 vaccine to all prisoners and jail staff (Sharda Jain vs GNCTD). .A Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued notice in the petition preferred by a 63-year-old convict undergoing life imprisonment, Sharda Jain (petitioner). .In the petition filed through advocate Amit Sahni, the petitioner has submitted that Tihar Jail is one of the most crowded prison complexes in the country and therefore, it is humanly impossible to maintain social distancing and adhere to COVID-19 guidelines..The petitioner asserted that even the prisoners have right to health care and right not to contract any disease in prisons. .During the course of the hearing, the Court was also shown a newspaper clipping on increase in COVID-19 cases in Delhi's Mandoli jail. .At the same time, the Court today also issued notice in a petition by advocate Amit Sahni seeking a direction to defer the surrender of prisoners with multiple medical conditions, especially those above 65 years of age. (Amit Sahni vs GNCTD).Refusing to pass any interim order on this issue, the Court said that "COVID-19 is not an instrument to remain out.".The Court nonetheless asked the authorities to take action with respect to the issue of vaccination of prisoners. .Senior Standing Counsel for Delhi government, Rahul Mehra told the Court that there was no outbreak of COVID-19 in prisons and everything was under control. . The matter would be heard next on March 26.