Will pass injunction against private companies found giving COVID-19 drugs to citizens directly: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday stipulated that if it found any private company procuring COVID-19 drugs and distributing them to the individuals directly, then it would pass an order of injunction against them..The Court issued the warning while hearing the plea alleging the improper management of COVID-19 medical treatment in Maharashtra..The Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni also asked Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh appearing for the Central government about the status of allocation of Remdesivir to different states and more specifically to the State of Maharashtra. .The Court revealed that it had come across an incident in Maharashtra where a politician was found distributing 10,000 vials of Remdesivir to citizens directly. Taking serious note of this, Justice Kulkarni questioned the ASG as to how such an incident was possible and how was there a lack of supervision from the Centre's end on the distribution of the drug.."There was a news report that a political personality distributed 10,000 vials. How was that possible? When people are running from pillar to post, when Delhi is itself in need… How could he airlift?" Justice Kulkarni questioned..ASG Singh informed the Court that he would seek instructions on this, but also requested the Bench to not believe in media reports entirely..Advocate Simil Purohit, appearing for the petitioner, however, said that this was not just a singular incident.Clarifying that it was not merely relying on media reports but also on the interview of the politician which was available in the media, the Court clarified that it would look into this issue..The plea on COVID-19 management was earlier fixed for hearing on May 4. However, the Bench listed the matter today to get an update on the status of compliance of its previous order of April 23, 2021..Bombay High Court hears plea alleging mismanagement of COVID-19 treatment in Maharashtra [LIVE UPDATES].The Court was informed that there was adequate supply of oxygen and beds within the jurisdiction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and that a helpline number was also functional. .The Bench asked Purohit to check the numbers and after receiving a satisfactory response, it proceeded to deal with the other issues raised. The Court directed all respondents to file affidavits showing their compliance and status of the management of the crisis..CJ Datta clarified that even though the PIL pertained to the jurisdiction of the BMC, the Court wanted updates on compliance within the whole State.The plea will be taken up for hearing next on Thursday..The Chief Justice also acknowledged that the Aurangabad Bench of the High Court had taken cognizance of the incident. .The Aurangabad Bench had stated on Monday that police authorities were at liberty to take steps in a similar situation. This, after it was informed that there is a plea filed against the politician who was found distributing the vials. .Dr. Sujay Vikhe Patil, a sitting Member of Parliament of Ahmednagar constituency belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had allegedly released two videos on his social media showing his "efforts in procuring more than 10,000 Remdesivir injections from the pharmaceutical companies with whom he had friendly relations.".Invoking the police to take action, the Bench of Justices Ravindra V Ghuge and BU Debadwar, however, refrained from passing any specific orders or directions in the plea as the State sought time to take instructions in the matter..The plea will be taken up by the Aurangabad Bench on May 3..All three Bombay High Court benches in Maharashtra seized of COVID matters after Aurangabad Bench registers suo motu case on COVID issues