Overview
- A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta heard petitions from parents alleging vaccine-linked deaths alongside a Centre challenge to a Kerala High Court compensation order.
- The Court questioned petitioners for relying on UK data and sought evidence supporting a rough estimate of about 33,000 vaccine-related deaths in India.
- Petitioners moved to amend their filings with 40–50 case studies and asked for compensation and an inquiry by experts independent of the government.
- The Centre, represented by ASG Aishwarya Bhati, cited 220 crore doses, 92,687 AEFI reports, and 1,171 deaths, defending voluntary vaccination and existing expert review mechanisms.
- The bench reserved judgment, invited written submissions, and will decide on allowing amendments, constituting any committee, and issuing directions.