Politicians Have No Business To Hoard COVID Drugs; Medicines Be Surrendered To DGHS : Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court on Monday took exception to politicians and legislators stocking COVID medicines and drugs.

"Politicians have no business to hoard medicines", the Court said.

A division bench comprising of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Jasmeet Singh also directed that such medicines must be surrendered to Director General of Health Services for distributing the same to Government Hospitals for the Treatment of poor and needy persons.

"Medicines were hoarded by a certain doctor. Since it's projected that the medicines are held for the purpose of public charity, we expect that as responsible citizens, these medicines will not be procured for distribution of political gains. And we expect that these medicines be surrendered to DGHS for poor and needy public who received treatment in various government hospitals." the Court observed.

The development came after Advocate Virag Gupta submitted before the Court that the alleged acts of blackmarketing and illegal hoarding of essential covid medicines are causing deep loss to the society and public at large as they are being denied the access to medical treatment.

It was also argued that the leaders of political parties are hoarding the said drugs and are providing the same preferentially to their relatives and families creating a "different class" altogether. He had specially mentioned that certain payments were made by "Gautam Gambhir Foundation" alleging hoarding by him.

Hearing the submissions, the Court observed thus:

"We would expect that the stocks that are being held by political leaders, this cannot be done. We expect them to surrender them to DG of Health Services and let them be distributed to government hospitals. If their intention is to do public good, then what better public good is there than this."

In view of this, the Court directed the Delhi Police to file status report in the matter showing that how such covid essential drugs, scarcely available in the market, were being procured and in such large numbers by a few people.

"We hope and expect Delhi police to conduct proper investigation and if a case is made out, we expect them to register the FIR as well. DCP seeks one week time to examine the matter and file a status report. Let the same be filed before next date." The Court ordered.

The Court further went ahead to orally remark that the Delhi Police must investigate the matter in a proper manner.

"Just because some political figures are involved, is no reason to not investigate. Your force should stand up and investigate. You have a duty to the people, your force has to understand this. People all over are suffering." Justice Sanghi orally remarked.

The Court also impleaded Drug Controller as a party in the matter. The matter will now be hear on May 24.

The Delhi police has filed a status report in the case saying the preliminary investigation so far showed that politicians like Congress leader BV Srinivas, BJP MP Gautam Gambhir etc, were actually helping people in getting medical aid free of cost and no one was defrauded. The police sought 6 weeks time to complete the enquiry.

Some of the incidents of politicians hoarding covid medicines as highlighted in the petition are as follows:

- Member of Parliament Gautam Gambhir, Bhartiya Janata Party announcement for free of cost distribution of Fabiflu from his office.

- BJP Gujarat Unit Chief announcement on the free distribution of 5,000 doses of the Remdesivir.

- BJP MLA from north Maharashtra Shirish Chaudhari, illegally distributing Remdesivir vials without having any requisite licence.

-Sharad Pawar and Rohit Pawar of NCP reportedly distributing more than 300 vials of Remdesivir.

Click here to read/download the order