Ban on local train travel in public interest: Maha govt to HC

One-liner: The prohibition on travel by local trains in Mumbai by those who are not fully vaccinated against coronavirus is legal and reasonable, the Maharashtra govt told the Bombay High Court on Thursday.

Why it is reasonable:  A senior advocate, also the govt's lawyer, said though such a restriction encroaches on the fundamental right to move freely under Article 19 (1)(d) of the Constitution, it is reasonable in view of the pandemic.

• He was arguing before a bench during the final hearing on Public Interest Litigations challenging the ban on travel by local trains by those who have not taken both the doses of vaccine

Need to know: The notification requiring a vaccination certificate for local train travel was issued in Aug 2021.

On the other side: Petitioners' counsels had argued that the notification was illegal, arbitrary, and violated the right to equality and free movement.

Looking forward: While vaccination may not guarantee full immunity, it is a step to avoid hospitalization and death and the restrictions on train travel have been imposed to avoid extreme eventualities, the govt counsel added.

Hearing adjourned: The HC asked the Union govt's lawyer to clarify the position on this point and adjourned the hearing to Friday. 

Source: PTI