On 30^th June 2021, in the case of M. Murgantham v. State of Tamil Nadu & Ors., the Madras High Court issued directions to the State Government to ensure that homeless people, pavement dwellers and various other vulnerable groups of people are being vaccinated urgently, as they are more exposed to the COVID 19 virus as compared to other people.

The court accordingly directed the Municipality, Corporations and all the Panchayats to ensure that such vulnerable people are taken under the category of “immediate urgent vaccination”. According to the status report submitted, the funds have been sanctioned to provide functional shelters to take care of the vulnerable group as mentioned by the petitioner.

Keeping in view the reports the court disposed of the petition and has asked the authorities to ensure that no homeless or pavement dwellers and various other vulnerable people must not be excluded from the vaccination drive and also ensure that these people are being vaccinated urgently, as they are more exposed to the COVID 19 virus as compared to other people.

– Animesh Raizada, Intern, POSHequili