Kriti Agrawal
Supreme Court Justice DY Chandrachud expressed optimism that covid-19 vaccinations would be administered to all so that Courts could resume physically hearing cases.
The Judge stated this during the hearing of a case scheduled for August of this year.
Justice Chandrachud said, “Let us pray to God for universal vaccination. Then we can start physical hearing.”
Justice Chandrachud is the Chief Justice of the Bench that is now considering a Suo motu case on difficulties arising from the covid-19 administration across the country.
The Bench questioned the Central Government on its dual policy for procuring covid-19 vaccinations during yesterday’s session.
The Bench, which also included Justice L Nageswara Rao and Justice Ravindra Bhat, made the following observation: “Centre claims to get a reduced price since it buys in bulk. If this is the case, why are states required to pay a greater price? Vaccines should be priced uniformly across the country. In the last two months, the pandemic has evolved.”
The Court also expressed concern about the digital barrier that persons in rural regions confront when registering for the vaccine.
The Supreme Court already decided to begin limited physical hearings on March 15, 2021.
It had also implemented a hybrid system in which a case was heard in actual Court and parties/lawyers might appear either physically or virtually.
However, one month later, in response to an increase in covid-19 cases, the Court’s Judges opted to conduct Court proceedings from their separate homes.
Justice Chandrachud, who chairs the Supreme Court E-Committee, previously stated that virtual hearings were not intended to supplant actual hearings.