Prosecution Launched Against Gautam Gambhir Foundation, 2 AAP MLAs Over Stocking Of COVID Drugs, Oxygen : Drugs Control Dept Tells Delhi High Court

The Drugs Control Department has informed the Delhi High Court that it has launched a prosecution in the Court of law against Gautam Gambhir Foundation, it's trustees and CEO on July 8 for contravening the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act , 1940.

The move comes in relation to the inquiry made by the investigating team in respect of specific allegations against BJP MP Gautam Gambhir for hoarding and illegally stocking Covid 19 medicines and drugs while conducting free medical camp.

It has also been informed that Sale Licenses of all the dealers and retailers who had sold Favipiravir tablets and medical oxygen to the Foundation have been suspended for 10 days for contravening the said Act, after giving them adequate opportunity to submit their application.

The development came after a division bench comprising of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Jasmeet Singh vide order dated 3 June directed the Drug Controller to file a Status report within 6 weeks in the matter.

The Drugs Control Department has also filed status report in respect of two Aam Aadmi Party MLAs namely Praveen Kumar and Imran Hussain. The Court has been informed that a similar prosecution has been filed against the two for contravening the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act in appropriate Court of law.

With respect to MLA Imran Hussain, the status report states that free medical oxygen distribution activity was organised by him 25th April to 5th May at his camp office.

It was further stated in the status report that Hussain had procured medical oxygen from an unauthorized source as no document was supplied by Haryana Drug Control Department to show that the refiller held a valid drug license.

During the previous course of hearing, the Drug Controller informed the Court that Gautam Gambhir Foundation has been found in contravention of the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act for unauthorised stock of covid 19 drugs.

The Court was also informed that show cause notices have also been sent to such firms for violating conditions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act and that such firms are also liable for Prosecution for selling medicines to an unlicensed firm i.e. Gautam Gambhir Foundation.

Earlier, the Court had pulled up the Drug Controller of the Delhi Government for its "unsatisfactory inquiry/Investigation" in the matter.

"You want us to shut our eyes. You can't take is for a ride. If you think we are so gullible, we are naive, we'll give you back hard. You better do your job." The Court said.