Uttarakhand: Nepali Citizens Deprived of Vaccination, HC Takes Cognisance

The Uttarakhand High Court has converted a letter written by a law student, about how Nepali citizens residing in the state have been unable to get the Covid vaccine,   into a letter petition. The bench of Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma have taken cognisance of the letter written by one Medha Pandey, a law student from Delhi University.

“A letter has been received from Ms. Medha Pandey, Student of Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, wherein she has pointed out that, while the vaccination process has commenced for battling the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the Nepali citizens, who continue to stay in India, cannot be vaccinated as they have not been issued the Aadhar Card, which is required for registration for the purpose of inoculation,” the order reads.

The bench has appointed Adv. Aditya Pratap Singh as amicus Curiae in the case. CS Rawat, the learned Chief Standing Counsel appearing for the State sought 3 weeks’ time to file counter affidavit. The court further directed the amicus curiae to implead the Centre as necessary party in the petition within a week and directed the registry to issue notice to the Assistant Solicitor General of India for the Centre.

The matter will be heard after 3 weeks.

It is pertinent to note here that the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) stated last week that no one shall be denied a vaccine, medicines, hospitalisation or treatment for want of an Aadhaar number.

The complete order may be read here

Courtesy: Sabrang India