Delhi High Court Reserves Order On Gautam Gambhir Foundation's Plea To Quash COVID Drugs Hoarding Case

The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved order on a plea filed by Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir, his foundation and its members seeking quashing of a case involving allegations of hoarding and unlicensed distribution of drugs during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna reserved the verdict after hearing Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai appearing for Gambhir as well as the counsel representing the State through the Drugs Control Department.

The petition was filed in 2021 by Gautam Gambhir Foundation, Gautam Gambhir, his mother Seema Gambhir and wife Natasha Gambhir. They challenged the summoning order passed by the trial court and also the criminal complaint against them.

In September 2021, a coordinate bench had stayed the trial court proceedings against Gambhir and others. 

Gambhir and others recently filed a fresh application seeking recall of an order passed by Justice Krishna on April 09 vacating the stay on the trial court proceedings.

The Drug Controller of Delhi Government had launched a prosecution against Gautam Gambhir Foundation, its trustees and CEO on for contravening the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Additionally, prosecution was launched against then MLAs of the Aam Aadmi Party namely Praveen Kumar and Imran Hussain over similar allegations.

An inquiry was made by the investigating team in respect of specific allegations against Gautam Gambhir and then AAP MLAs for hoarding and illegally stocking COVID-19 medicines and drugs while conducting free medical camp.

Title: Gautam Gambhir Foundation & Ors v. State