[BREAKING] Supreme Court refuses to stay proceedings initiated against Gautam Gambhir Foundation for alleged hoarding of COVID-19 drugs

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the proceedings initiated by the Drug Controller of Delhi against Gautam Gambhir Foundation in a case involving illegal stocking and distributing of COVID-19 drugs during the second wave of the pandemic..A Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah observed today,"People were running helter skelter for medicines drugs etc. Suddenly a trust comes and says we will give you medicines. This is not done.".While refusing to entertain the plea filed by the organisation of the BJP MP, the Court asked the Foundation to approach the Delhi High Court for relief..When Senior Advocate Kailash Vasdev sought a stay on the prosecution under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the Court said,"You can pursue your remedies in High Court. But we cannot help you. How can we stay the process?".Earlier this year, one Deepak Singh had filed a plea before the Delhi High Court seeking registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against politicians and others indulging in black-marketing of COVID-19 medicines. The High Court had on May 4 directed Delhi Police to look into the allegations and take appropriate steps..On a later date of hearing, the Court took strong exception to political leaders and Members of Parliament hoarding medicines which are used for treatment of COVID-19, directing the Drug Controller of Delhi to investigate the matter..Political leaders should not hoard COVID drugs for political gains: Delhi High Court takes exception to Gautam Gambhir, others stocking medicines.On May 31, the Court pulled up the Drug Controller of Delhi for conducting an "unsatisfactory" inquiry into the matter, observing,"Here is a man who is hoarding thousands of strips of medicines. He is interrupting the flow of medicines...Please don't tell us there is no shortage. We know there was shortage.".The Drug Controller eventually that Gautam Gambhir Foundation was guilty under provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act for unauthorised purchase and procurement of Fabilflu and oxygen. The Court directed that action be taken against the Foundation as well as dealers who made unauthorised sales.The matter before the Delhi High Court is listed for July 29..Drug Controller says Gautam Gambhir Foundation committed offence under Drugs and Cosmetics Act; Delhi High Court calls for action