We saw how the common man was suffering: Supreme Court refuses to stay proceedings against Gautam Gambhir in COVID medicines hoarding case

Today the Supreme Court has refused to grant a stay on proceedings against BJP MP Gautam Gambhir for hoarding and black marketing of COVID-related drugs, during the second wave. "We saw how the common man was suffering. This cannot be done. Do you want us to go into merits?" questioned the bench. Gambhir then withdrew his plea.

Earlier in June, the Drug Controller had stated before the Delhi High Court that Gambhir's Foundation had committed an offense under Rule 61 and 18 C of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act as it was in possession of unauthorised stocks of Fabiflu. 

On May 24, the Drug Controller was directed by a division bench of Delhi High Court comprising Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh to probe into hoarding of essential COVID drugs by Gautam Gambhir and medical oxygen by AAP MLAs Priti Tomar and Praveen Kumar and to submit a report within a week.

The High Court was hearing a PIL asking for the lodging of an FIR on allegations that politicians were able to obtain and distribute COVID-19 medicines in huge quantities despite the fact that people were running around to get them.

The bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah was not inclined to accept the submission of Kailash Vasudev (Gautam Gambhir's Advocate) that his client did "public service" and is now facing the consequences.

According to NDTV, "We had our eye on the ground to see what was happening... People running helter-skelter... that is not on and we cannot allow that," Justice Chandrachud said. 

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