Delhi High Court Seeks Response from Delhi Government Over Plea Seeking Covid-19 Vaccination for Jail Staff

On Monday, the Delhi High Court sought the Delhi government's response to a petition filed by a life-term convict seeking clarification from the government to ensure Covid-19 vaccination for jail staff, security personnel, and all prisoners lodged in jails of India's capital city.

A High Court Divisional Bench headed by Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued a notice to the government of Delhi and scheduled the matter for further hearing on March 26. Earlier, the petition filed by Sharda Jain through lawyer Amit Sahni was transferred to the division bench by a single judge bench of High Court, noting that the matter is in the public interest.' 

The public prosecutor told the bench that a related matter involving the vaccination of prisoners is also pending before the concerned division bench. Sharda Jain, a woman sentenced to life at the age of 63 and having been subjected to about 13 years and 11 months, approached the court seeking vaccination of jail staff including security personnel and the prisoners, especially those who are out on bail. 

Stressing on the fact that jails in Delhi are overcrowded, the learned counsel for the petitioner pointed out that social distancing cannot be followed.

Furthermore, the plea states that the prisoners lodged in jails still hope and pray to lead a regular, safe and peaceful life following the sentence handed down by the Court. 

“The state has a responsibility to protect life, whether it's an innocent person or a criminal liable for prosecution as per the law" lt is pertinent to mention that the Declaration of Human Rights acknowledges the right to ensure living conditions that are appropriate for everyone's wellbeing. In addition, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) states that prisoners have a right to attain the highest degree of physical and mental wellbeing,” the petitioner said.