State will provide more protection if Adar Poonawalla so requests: Maharashtra govt to Bombay High Court

The Maharashtra government on Friday told the Bombay High Court that the State will provide adequate security cover and protection to Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer of the Serum Institute of India (SII) if and when he makes a request for the same. .A Bench of Justices SS Shinde and NJ Jamadar, therefore, disposed of a plea filed by a Mumbai based lawyer, seeking Z+ security cover for Poonawalla. .In an earlier hearing, the Court had suggested that the State should consider granting Z+ security to Poonawalla if they deem it necessary. The Bench had been informed then that Poonawalla had already been provided with "Y+ level security". On Friday Chief Public Prosecutor Deepak Thakare made a statement on instruction that whenever Poonawalla returns from London, and if he seeks protection, then adequate or additional protection will be given to him immediately.In view of the same, the Court stated that nothing remains for adjudication in the case and proceeded to dispose of the petition. .Besides seeking security cover for Poonawalla, the plea filed by Mumbai lawyer Datta Mane also prayed for registration of FIR against persons who allegedly threatened Poonawalla in relation to supply of the vaccine.Advocate Pradeep Havnur, appearing for the petitioner, requested the Court to keep the petition pending to consider the prayer for registration of FIR.The Court was, however, disinclined to hear the petition on this point."We are not going to entertain the petition beyond a point now. Mr. Thakare has made his statement. Poonawalla is not before us. Behind his back, we cannot pass any order. We do not know if he may even agree to the grounds in the petition," Justice Shinde indicated. When Havnur submitted he did not have instructions to withdraw, the Court proceeded to dispose off the petition after recording Thakare's statement. .Mane had relied upon a report in Times of India which said that Poonawalla left for United Kingdom due to fear and constant pressure from powerful people including Chief Ministers of States and business tycoons for supply of vaccine.Mane submitted that he was shocked and surprised when Poonawalla claimed in an interview with 'The Times' that he was being threatened by powerful people.He submitted in his petition that the Maharashtra government had requested Poonawalla to register a complaint so that action could be taken against such people pressurising him.."If Poonawalla is out of India, it will be ship in storm without captain:" Mumbai lawyer moves Bombay HC seeking Z+ security for Adar Poonawalla.If vaccine makers feel unsafe, then it may affect vaccine production, Mane had contended in his petition.In view of the above, Mane had sought the following through his petition:Directions to the Commissioner of Pune Police and Director General of Maharashtra Police to register an FIR against complaint filed by Mane.Direct respondents to provide 'Z Plus' security cover to Poonawalla and his family members and also protect the assets of SII.