Gautam Gambhir Foundation Guilty Of Unauthorisedly Stocking Covid Medicine, Drug Controller Tells Delhi HC

New Delhi: The Delhi government’s drug controller on Thursday informed Delhi High Court that the Gautam Gambhir Foundation has been found guilty of unauthorisedly stocking, procuring and distributing Fabiflu medicine to Covid-19 patients.

The drug controller has submitted that action will be taken against the foundation and drug dealers without delay as in other such cases that would be brought to its notice.

ALSO READ | ‘Maharashtra Prepared For Possible Third Wave’: Health Min Rajesh Tope To Governance Now’s Kailashnath Adhikari

This submission comes after Delhi High Court pulled up drug controller for not properly examining how Gambhir got huge quantities of Fabiflu. 

“You can’t take us for a ride. If you think we are so gullible, so naive, we are not,” the Delhi High Court had told the drug controller on Monday, adding that people’s tendency to appear as saviours has to be denounced.

The high court commented that its confidence in the drug controller has “shaken completely” and rejected its status report on inquiry into the procurement case as “trash”.

“There is a fundamental error of approach. The manner in which you have conducted the investigation is questionable,” it said.

The drug controller’s report, submitted on Monday, had concluded that the dealers had ample stock to supply to others. 

“Please don’t tell us there is no shortage. We know there was a shortage. You don’t have to swallow the report. You have to question your officers. You (drug controller) are wrong to say it was not in short supply. You want us to shut our eyes. You think you would get away with this,” the bench stated.

“You better do your job. If you can’t do your job, tell us, we will have you suspended and let someone else do your job,” a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh said.

The High Court had also pulled up BJP leader Gautam Gambhir for reiterating that he will continue to do such work.

“We have already said it is malpractice. This tendency of people trying to take advantage and then trying to appear as a saviour when they themselves created the problem, has to be denounced. And then the person goes on to state he would do it again. If it continues, we know how to deal with it,” the bench stated.

“Thousands of strips he is obtaining. On the day people needed it, they were not able to buy it. Time was of the essence. He bought more than what is required. How is it that the dealer has sold it to a foundation,” the Delhi HC questioned while pointing out that 285 strips are lying unused.

“Our confidence in you (drug controller) has shaken completely. Let’s be very clear about this. Now it is up to you to build that confidence again or not,” the court had said.

Now, besides Gambhir, MLA Praveen Kumar has also been found guilty of similar offenses under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the court was informed.

The Delhi HC has asked the drug controller to file status reports on progress ahead in these cases within six weeks. The matter has been listed for hearing on July 29.

(With Agency Inputs)