As the coronavirus cases are stable in the city, the Bombay High Court (HC) asked Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary to file an affidavit stating the reasons behind the state government’s decision to permit only “fully vaccinated” people to board local trains in Mumbai.
The plea filed by activists Feroze Mithiborwala and Yohan Tengra have sought that all people in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) should be allowed to travel by local trains, irrespective of their vaccination status.
A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Makarand S Karnik was hearing plea challenging the Maharashtra government’s decision in August to permit only “fully vaccinated” people to board local trains, and visit malls and workplaces.
Moreover, amid the rising concerns of Omicron, the state government has warned of fresh curbs to those not vaccinated.
The plea also mentioned the issue concerns curtailing the fundamental right of citizens who have got either a single dose or no dose, as their “bread and butter” is dependent on daily wages and they cannot afford other modes of transport.
The plea further states that the Maharashtra government was passing such orders despite the Central government making it clear that there cannot be discrimination based on vaccination status.
The Court then asked the state chief secretary to file an affidavit by Tuesday, December 21, setting forth the rationale behind the division between vaccinated and non-vaccinated persons.
The court has posted next hearing for December 22.
Also Read: Maharashtra Was One Of The Pioneers In Tackling COVID-19, Says Bombay High Court
Share
Tweet
