An Indian Air Force personnel got fired from his service after he refused to get administered with a covid-19 vaccine. The Central government informed the Gujarat High Court of the news as vaccinations have become a mandatory condition in the military service.
Speaking before a division bench comprising of Justices AJ Desai and AP Thaker, Additional Solicitor General Devang Vyas, told in his submission made on Wednesday, that nine such cases of personnel not willing to get inoculated with covid-19 vaccine had surfaced. All of them were given show-cause notices yet one failed to produce it, following which, he was presented with a termination letter.
Mr Vyas’s submission was a result of IAF corporal Yogendra Kumar’s plea at Gujarat’s Jamnagar.
Neither the solicitor nor the Air Force disclosed the name or other information regarding the person who was sacked.
“Across India, only nine personnel have refused to take the vaccine”, Mr Vyas told in the High Court, adding that one did not respond and hence was terminated.
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Though the vaccine is optional for the general public, it is made compulsory to be a part of the Air Force. It has been added in the oath taken prior to commencement of service, he said. This is to ensure that the personnel do not become vulnerable to the virus as a vaccine can provide protection.
Corporal Yogendra Kumar, one of the 9 personnel who denied to get vaccinated but responded to the show-cause notice, has two ways to proceed as per the policies under the Armed Forces Tribunal Act- either appear before a proper authority or the Armed Forces.
Challenging the mandatory vaccination service condition, the plea of Cpl Kumar was heard by the High Court as it ordered the Indian Air Force on Wednesday to hear his case again as a fresh one.
However, his petition was dismissed after passing orders of his interim relief staying intact until his case is heard and reached to a conclusion by the IAF. The HC added that the notice will not be implemented for 2 weeks from the date of service of the order to Cpl Kumar, personnel unwilling to get vaccinated.
The case being heard by the High Court was in regards to Kumar’s plea of disposing the show-cause notice given to him by the IAF, asking him to furnish the reason for his stance to not get inoculated against covid-19. His petition also included a request to the HC to prevent the IAF from taking any action against him. He also urged the court to direct the IAF to abide by the Centre’s option given to citizens to choose whether or not to get vaccinated.
