Plea Against Ban On Unvaccinated For Suburban Train Travel In Maharashtra
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Loading... - Aadhya Babu
- 17 Mar 2022
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Mumbai:
The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Maharashtra government to file a reply to a PIL that challenged the state's decision to continue insisting that one must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel in suburban trains and use other modes of public transport in the metropolis.
The public interest litigation (PIL), filed by one Firoze Mithiborwala through advocate Nilesh Ojha, challenged a circular dated March 1, 2022, that was issued by the Maharashtra government to list out the standard operating procedures and safety measures citizens must follow in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The restriction on public transport, including local trains, for the unvaccinated was included in the circular.
This is a fresh PIL on the issue and the earlier one was disposed of by the High Court in beginning of this month.
Mr Mithiborwala said in his PIL that such a restriction was arbitrary, unconstitutional and an "indirect attempt" on the Maharashtra government's part to make vaccination compulsory.
"The impugned order (circular) is against the state's own policy decision and an indirect attempt to make vaccination compulsory. (Imposing) such indirect compulsion is prohibited by the Supreme Court," the plea reads.
The plea further claims that the state government's insistence on citizens wearing face masks to cover their mouth and nose while out of their homes, and in public places, was "unscientific." The PIL urged the High Court to quash the circular.
It also urged the court to direct state and municipal authorities to return the money collected so far from citizens as fine for not wearing face masks in public places. Read More....
