Delhi High Court Denies Stay on Criminal Proceedings Against Gautam Gambhir Foundation

Court's Decision on Criminal Proceedings

The Delhi High Court has refused to grant a stay on the criminal proceedings against the Gautam Gambhir Foundation and its members. Notably, the foundation includes Gautam Gambhir, his wife Natasha, and his mother Seema Gambhir. This case is linked to the distribution of medicines without a license during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In September 2021, the High Court had previously halted the proceedings initiated by the Delhi Drug Control Department against the foundation in Rohini Court. The complaint, filed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, accused the foundation of unauthorized storage and distribution of COVID medications during a medical camp held amid the second wave of the pandemic in Delhi.

The complaint named Gautam Gambhir, a former BJP MP, his wife Natasha, mother Seema, and CEO Aparajita Singh as accused. The Drug Control Department alleged that the foundation lacked the necessary licenses for storing or distributing medications, including medical oxygen, thereby violating the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940.

Meanwhile, the defense attorney had sought a stay earlier this year. On April 9, Justice Neena Bansal Krishna lifted the interim stay and scheduled the case for further arguments on November 26. On Monday, the foundation's lawyer, Jai Anant Dehadrai, requested the court to reinstate the stay, noting that the next date for the trial court is now set for September 8. He urged that the accused be protected until the High Court hears the case in November.