The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Maharashtra government to file a reply to a PIL that challenged the state's decision to continue insisting that one must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel in suburban trains and use other modes of public transport in the metropolis.

The public interest litigation (PIL), filed by one Firoze Mithiborwala through advocate Nilesh Ojha, challenged a circular dated March 1, 2022, that was issued by the Maharashtra government to list out the standard operating procedures and safety measures citizens must follow in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. The restriction on public transport, including local trains, for the unvaccinated was included in the circular.