[Door-to-Door Vaccination] If Prime Minister, President can go to hospital to get COVID-19 vaccine, why can't State leaders? Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court on Friday expressed its disapproval at political leaders in Maharashtra getting COVID-19 vaccination at their homes despite there being no door-to-door vaccination policy in place..A Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipankar Datta asked on what basis leaders are getting vaccinated at home when other people do not have that luxury. "Important political leaders get a jab at home. How do political leaders get a vaccine at home and others cannot? There has to be a uniform policy," the Court remarked. .When the Central government submitted that it did not have a door-to-door policy yet, the Court warned the governments that if it comes across any more cases where political leaders are getting jabs at home, appropriate action will be taken.."What has happened has happened. But if we come across any report that political leaders are getting a jab at home, then we will see to it. If the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) can go to the vaccination centre and get vaccine, then why cannot Maharashtra leaders do the same?" the Court demanded..The Court was hearing a plea by two Mumbai based lawyers seeking door-to-door vaccination for senior citizens and those who are specially-abled or bed-ridden. .If the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) can go to the vaccination centre and get vaccine, then why cannot Maharashtra leaders do the same?Bombay High Court.The Bench was informed by petitioner-in-person Dhruti Kapadia that she had come across news articles wherein workplaces and some societies had conducted vaccinations, and that people were getting vaccinated at home..In response, CJ Datta noted that the Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Iqbal S Chahal had informed that door-to-door vaccination was not possible as having an ICU close to the vaccination centre is mandatory."Are ICUs available in the homes of the political leaders?" the Bench asked. .Justice GS Kulkarni also chimed in, informing the government lawyers that even President of India Ram Nath Kovind had gone to a hospital to get vaccinated. "The President of India went to AIIMS. If they can go why can’t every (political) leader go? This sends out a wrong message. Political leaders are not a class apart.".The Bench also said that they had come across news reports about shortage of vaccine stocks in the State and the petition would, therefore, have to be kept pending for the time being. .Before adjourning the matter, the Bench asked the Central government to file an affidavit on vaccination protocols and whether something can be done for senior citizens as regards simplifying the online procedure for them. "This is not an adversarial proceeding. There has to be something for the senior citizens and for simplifying online procedure," the Court remarked..The Bench had during the previous hearing sought clarification from the Centre on whether there are any protocols to be followed while administering vaccination to citizens.