Supreme Court asks man to file suit for damages after he claims disability post COVID-19 first dose

Supreme Court advises petitioner to file suit for COVID-19 vaccine side effects disability, not pursue plea for relief.

The Supreme Court on Monday (April 21, 2025) told a petitioner, who allegedly suffered disability due to the side-effects of COVID-19 vaccine's first dose, to file a suit for damages instead of pursuing his plea.

A Bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and Augustine George Masih made the observation while hearing the plea for a direction to lay down appropriate guidelines for an effective resolution of side effects following immunisation (AEFI) with specific reference to COVID-19 vaccination.

“If you keep your petition pending here, nothing will happen for ten years. At least if you file a suit, you will get some quick relief,” the Bench said.

The petitioner's counsel said the man was suffering from the adverse effects of immunisation after taking the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine as he developed 100% lower limb disability.

“How can a writ petition be filed for that? File a suit for damages,” Justice Gavai said.

The counsel said there were two separate petitions raising a similar issue pending in the apex court and the coordinate Benches had issued notice on them.

If the petitioner wanted, the court said, it would tag his plea with the pending petitions.