New Delhi: The drug controller of the capital gave this information on Thursday. Delhi High Court That it had decided to withdraw cases against political functionaries and the “Good Samaritans” who procured and distributed oxygen during the brutal Covid wave in April-May.
Taking cue from some of the stern comments made by the court on the previous hearing, where it grilled the department for taking action against such people, the drug controller conveyed its stand to the court through Minister Satyendar Jain. Appreciating the stand taken by the department, a bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Jasmeet Singh said, “It is the right approach.”
The court noted that the department has taken a “very reasonable approach” in prosecuting people for the purchase and supply of medical oxygen. It disposed of a PIL saying that no further order is required in the matter.
The PIL, filed at the peak of the second wave, sought a probe into allegations that politicians were able to procure and distribute Covid-19 drugs in large quantities, even as patients were able to afford them. Running away from others.
An application was also filed seeking prosecution of those who bought and distributed oxygen cylinders. However, dismissing the arguments, the court said, “In Delhi, during April and May, citizens had nowhere to go and no hospitals were available. Apart from NGOs, Gurudwaras and good people, there will be at least 50,000 to one lakh people who tried to take oxygen. It is surprising whether the petitioner wants the drug controller to book all of them.
Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the Delhi government, said that they have decided not to prosecute social organisations, individuals and gurdwaras for purchasing and distributing medical oxygen free of cost to Covid-19 patients without any malafide intention. did.
On the last date, the court had also taken strong objection to drug controllers targeting office-bearers of a particular political party, masquerading as Good Samaritan, for arranging oxygen for patients when both the Center and the Delhi government failed to provide it. had failed.
It had separated such matters with the cricketer-turned-politician and also with the BJP MP. Gautam Gambhir who had procured, stocked and distributed a huge quantity of Fabiflu drug to Covid-19 patients.
Taking cue from some of the stern comments made by the court on the previous hearing, where it grilled the department for taking action against such people, the drug controller conveyed its stand to the court through Minister Satyendar Jain. Appreciating the stand taken by the department, a bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Jasmeet Singh said, “It is the right approach.”
The court noted that the department has taken a “very reasonable approach” in prosecuting people for the purchase and supply of medical oxygen. It disposed of a PIL saying that no further order is required in the matter.
The PIL, filed at the peak of the second wave, sought a probe into allegations that politicians were able to procure and distribute Covid-19 drugs in large quantities, even as patients were able to afford them. Running away from others.
An application was also filed seeking prosecution of those who bought and distributed oxygen cylinders. However, dismissing the arguments, the court said, “In Delhi, during April and May, citizens had nowhere to go and no hospitals were available. Apart from NGOs, Gurudwaras and good people, there will be at least 50,000 to one lakh people who tried to take oxygen. It is surprising whether the petitioner wants the drug controller to book all of them.
Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the Delhi government, said that they have decided not to prosecute social organisations, individuals and gurdwaras for purchasing and distributing medical oxygen free of cost to Covid-19 patients without any malafide intention. did.
On the last date, the court had also taken strong objection to drug controllers targeting office-bearers of a particular political party, masquerading as Good Samaritan, for arranging oxygen for patients when both the Center and the Delhi government failed to provide it. had failed.
It had separated such matters with the cricketer-turned-politician and also with the BJP MP. Gautam Gambhir who had procured, stocked and distributed a huge quantity of Fabiflu drug to Covid-19 patients.
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