Disclose if supply made from quota to Imran Hussain for distribution from his office: Delhi High Court tells Delhi govt

The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the State government to file an affidavit disclosing if any oxygen supply was made from its re-fillers to Imran Hussain, cabinet minister and Member of Legislative Assembly from Aam Aadmi Party, for free distribution from his office (Vedansh Sharma vs GNCTD)..A Division Bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli also directed Hussain to bring on record the documents showing the source of the cylinders and the oxygen that were distributed. .A plea was moved by Vedansh Sharma last week, alleging that Hussain was "hoarding the oxygen cylinder at a time when the entire Delhi is in the crisis of the supply of the oxygen"..The order was passed after the court noted that no proof was supplied by Hussain to support his claim that 10 oxygen cylinders were taken on rent and oxygen was procured from a supplier at Faridabad.."Make a full disclosure. If you are doing a good voluntary service, please do it. If you are taking it from Delhi allocated oxygen, you are doing it for your own publicity. If you are taking it from them (Delhi refillers), you are curtailing supplies..which is not permissible," the Court observed..Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa, who appeared for Hussain, argued that an impression was created that his client was doing something wrong though the same service is being offered by several gurudwaras and even the Bar Council..The Court responded that while it does not have any such impression, if documents are held back, it would carry a prima facie adverse opinion. ."I will pat you on the back if you show you are getting it from outside. We are carrying no such impression.If you are ready to show it to us, it is the end of the matter," it said. .Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra for Delhi government submitted that oxygen which was distributed from the office of MLA Hussain was not procured from Delhi. .During the course of the hearing, the Court also clarified that oxygen and medicines like remdesivir stood on different footing when it came to their distribution as the latter required licenses. ."If they are distributing oxygen for free (after procuring from other states), it's good. They (politicians) are offering a service..He (Hussain) should continue.. the only thing is that he shouldn't do it from selected quota," the Court stated. .The Court also clarified that in the present case concerning Imran Hussain, there could not be said to be any hoarding. .Advocate Amit Tiwari appeared for Sharma. .The hearing on this aspect would be held next on May 13..Read the complete account of hearing below:.[COVID 19] Delhi High Court issues notice in plea to declare oxygen concentrator, medical equipment as essential commodity [LIVE UPDATES].Delhi High Court seeks report from Delhi Police in plea alleging hoarding of COVID-19 medicines by political leaders