Lekha G
The Bombay High Court led by a Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni directed the State to respond to an interim application demonstrating how drugs like Remdesivir and Tocilizubam were being acquired and distributed by politicians and celebrities while the State continued to grumble about scarcity in official supply.
The CJ Dipankar Datta observed that, “Why don’t you (State) appoint nodal officers for film stars and politicians? They can have their share of blessings from God, and we will not stand in their way. But help should reach all and not just a select few”.
“As the Advocate has said, this is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ we don’t know what lies under the water. We are here to do justice in accordance with law, not justice that is not in accordance with law”, he further added.
The High Court also directed the nodal officers to check if anyone, including celebrities or politicians, were indulged in illegal procurement, black-marketing or hoarding of such drugs.
The Bench further questioned the State regarding violation of the Court’s order and as to why the hospitals were asking patients to procure Remdesivir independently.
Advocate Rajesh Inamdar in his application stated that, “It is submitted that people’s representatives and celebrities should ensure that people don’t have to come to them and ensure that the provision essential medicine’s is assured in the public health facilities provided by the State, it is expected of them to in fact aid and guide such persons to procure the medicines from proper channels and mechanism as set by the State and assist the State in fulfilling its obligations and do not make people dependent on them for any gains be it political or personal”.
The Bench also directed to arrange a meeting via video conference between each official of the Maharashtra Government and the Centre to discuss the gap between the requirement and supply of Remdesivir in the State.
The Petition was drawn by Advocates Shashwat Anand and Saif Alam and filed by Advocate Pankaj Khandari.
The Court listed the matter for May 19.