Treat Judges, Lawyers As Frontline Workers & Vaccinate Them: PIL

Mumbai: Members of the legal fraternity should be considered as frontline workers and given access to the COVID-19 vaccine on priority basis, according to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed before Bombay High Court.

The petition, moved by lawyer Vaishnavi Gholave and three others, contends that the Centre has not considered the possible risk to those involved with the judiciary, and that several judges, court staff, advocates and clerks had worked across the country during the lockdown.

The PIL goes on to state that lawyers were added to list of essential services from October to allow them to travel by suburban trains, so by that logic they should be administered the vaccine so that the risk of coronavirus infection can be minimised in courts where a large number of people assemble.

“Although at few courts the roceedings were held through online platforms, there were many – especially lower courts – which conducted the court proceedings in person,” the petition stated. It added that lawyers have been travelling long distances to represent their clients.

A majority of judges of the high court are above the risk zone of 45 years, the petition pointed out.