The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Central government and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the nationwide rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil, under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), alleging that it has been introduced without adequate scientific study.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that the issue was “extremely important” and listed the matter for hearing on July 29. The Bench also requested Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma to assist the Court and directed him to obtain instructions from the Ministry concerned.
The Court noted that while vaccines were a good initiative, safety concerns must be handled carefully. It asked counsel to consult the Ministry and arrange for briefs from both the responsible official and a drug control representative
Clarifying that it was not questioning the government’s intent, the Bench said the matter concerns the health of adolescent girls and therefore requires careful judicial consideration.
The PIL has been filed by gynaecologist Dr Sujata Mittal and fitness influencer Jitendra Chauksey, who have questioned the vaccine’s safety, efficacy and the scientific basis for its nationwide implementation. The petition alleges that vaccination drives are being conducted in schools and that frontline health workers, including ASHA workers, are assigned enrolment targets, leading to undue pressure on young girls to receive the vaccine.
The petitioners referred to the case of a 14-year-old girl from Tamil Nadu who allegedly developed severe neurological complications, including paralysis-like weakness, loss of speech and impaired vision, shortly after receiving the vaccine in March 2026. They also cited similar reported incidents in Gwalior and Bihar to raise concerns over post-vaccination safety monitoring.
According to the petition, the nationwide rollout without conclusive studies and informed consent violated the constitutional rights to bodily autonomy and personal liberty. It further contended that concerns regarding earlier HPV vaccine trials and participant consent remained unresolved and argued that the vaccine’s long-term effectiveness in preventing cervical cancer has not yet been conclusively established, while regular screening continued to be the most effective preventive measure.
The petition sought judicial scrutiny of the HPV vaccination programme, contending that it raised significant concerns relating to informed consent, safety, scientific evidence and public health policy.
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