Petition filed seeking high level probe, school closures over child deaths from measles

A lawyer has filed a writ petition seeking a high-level investigation into child deaths from measles and directives to keep schools closed until the outbreak is brought under control.

Supreme Court lawyer Lutfe Jahan Purnima submitted the writ to the relevant branch on Thursday.

The petition names the government authorities concerned, including the health ministry’s Medical Education and Family Welfare Division, as respondents.

According to the petition, failure to ensure timely vaccination, lack of vaccine availability, and shortcomings in emergency healthcare services constitute clear violations of Articles 27, 31, and 32 of the Constitution. It argues that the failure to take immediate preventive measures to control contact in schools during the ongoing outbreak amounts to reckless disregard for public safety and poses an imminent threat to life.

The petition seeks directives to conduct a comprehensive, independent, and time-bound investigation into the causes behind the failure to ensure vaccination coverage, vaccine shortages, and delays in preventive measures. It also urges the court to order authorities to explain why timely steps were not taken and to submit the findings before the court.

In addition, it requests the court to order the submission of a detailed report on the number of deaths, infection rate, vaccine availability, and measures taken so far.

Additionally, the petition calls for an immediate nationwide emergency vaccination programme and ensuring adequate and uninterrupted supply of vaccines, syringes, and necessary logistics.

After filing the petition, lawyer Purnima told journalists: “The most important matter is to confirm whether children are actually suffering from measles. Many doctors say it could be an updated variant of the coronavirus. It is necessary to investigate whether it is really measles, based on the symptoms children are experiencing.”

Regarding school closures, she said: “We have sought the temporary closure of schools until the vaccination issue is resolved. The fever is spreading widely among the general population as well. So, in-person classes can be suspended and virtual classes may continue.”

Alleging negligence in vaccine supply, she said: “No vaccines have been supplied for the past one and a half years. Previously, we saw vaccination campaigns conducted in all neighbourhoods with sirens wailing, but in the past one and a half years, we have not seen any such programmes. The reasons for this negligence need to be investigated.”

Referring to a recent statement by the health minister that vaccines had not been administered for the past eight years, the lawyer said: “This is actually a joke. If it is claimed that vaccines were not given for eight years, how come very young children are dying now? These children are only about a year old. So, I do not wish to comment further on this.”

She added that the petition has been placed before a High Court bench for a hearing.