Overview
- Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta heard petitions from parents alleging their daughters died after vaccination and seeking compensation and an expert probe.
- The court pressed petitioners on reliance on United Kingdom figures to estimate Indian deaths and asked for an empirical basis before inviting written submissions.
- The Centre reported about 220 crore doses administered with roughly 92,000 AEFI reports and 1,171 deaths, describing a robust surveillance system that was globally appreciated.
- Government counsel argued the state is not strictly liable for rare AEFI outcomes and said families can pursue civil claims where negligence is proven.
- The bench will rule on the amendment expanding the petition, the possible constitution of an independent expert committee, and directions in light of a related appeal arising from a Kerala High Court order.