The Supreme Court has asked the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Ministry to decide on a representation of a person seeking modification of COVID-19 policy to allow voluntary re-vaccination of persons who have received the Sputnik-V vaccine and are desirous of travelling abroad.
A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant while refusing to interfere with the petition granted liberty to the petitioner, Tarun Mehta, to move a representation before the Ministry.
The plea stated that Mr Mehta was vaccinated with the Sputnik-V vaccine, but, since it has not been approved by the World Health Organization, he was unable to travel abroad.
In its order, the top court noted, "The petitioner has invoked the jurisdiction of this Court under Article 32 of the Constitution seeking a modification of the Covid-19 vaccination policy. The petitioner states that he was vaccinated with the Sputnik-V vaccine, but, since it has not been approved by the World Health Organisation, he is unable to travel abroad. The petitioner seeks a modification of the policy to allow voluntary revaccination of persons who have received the Sputnik-V vaccine and are desirous of travelling abroad."
The bench stated that the petitioner moved the court without a demand for justice being made before the competent authority.
"The safety and efficacy of the measure require a careful and calibrated scientific assessment. Hence, the petitioner is permitted to highlight the hardship which is being faced by him and perhaps, by similarly placed other individuals, by moving a representation before the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The petitioner is granted liberty to do so. The MOH&FW is requested to consider it appropriately bearing in mind all relevant aspects with reasonable expedition. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of," the top court in its order said.
The plea has said that Sputnik V has not received an Emergency Use Listing from the WHO and that various countries such as the United States of America, Canada, countries forming the European Union, Japan etc. were treating individuals who have been administered with Sputnik-V as un-vaccinated individuals who were either not being allowed to travel to the said countries or made to undergo mandatory quarantine.
When the petitioner was administered with Sputnik-V, it had been approved by the government and thus, he legitimately and bonafidely believed that the same would also be approved by the WHO and other countries, added the plea.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Seeking Review Of Bail Order To Senthil Balaji "Marriage Built On Trust, Companionship, Shared Experiences": Supreme Court "Medical Seats Should Not Go To Waste When Country Faces Shortage Of Doctors": Supreme Court Is Safe Car Enough? Volvo Crash That Killed CEO, Family Sparks Big Question Video: Moment When Mohali Building Collapsed Trapping Several Under Rubble BJP Leader Who Lost To Priyanka Gandhi Challenges Election, Congress Reacts Court Allows Congress MP Karti Chidambaram To Travel Abroad Amid Scam Case Amid Stampede Row, CCTV Shows Cops Escorting Allu Arjun Out Of Theatre Chennai Firm Gifts Tata Cars, Royal Enfield Bikes To Employees Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.