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Gautam Gambhir Faces Trial As Delhi HC Rejects Relief In Illegal Medicine Probe

Soumyajit Dutta

Gautam Gambhir [Source: AFP Photos]Gautam Gambhir [Source: AFP Photos]

The Delhi High Court on Monday declined to grant an interim stay on trial court proceedings against Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir, his foundation, and other accused in a case related to the alleged illegal stocking and distribution of Covid-19 drugs during the pandemic. 

The court cautioned against "name-dropping" while emphasizing that legal proceedings would not be influenced by personal credentials. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna agreed to hear Gautam Gambhir’s petition to quash the FIR on August 29 but refused immediate relief.

Justice Warns Against 'Name Dropping'

The Justice noted that the trial court is scheduled to hear the matter on September 8. The judge made sharp observations when Gambhir’s counsel highlighted his client’s background as a former MP and Indian cricket captain who aided Covid relief efforts.

“Had you made a simple request, I would have considered it. You are trying to tell me so many things. Firstly, the name (of the party), his credentials, the work done by him... You are trying name dropping as if it will work in the court. It does not work,” the judge remarked, as quoted by TOI.

The counsel apologised, clarifying he was not attempting to use reputation to seek favour but was instead seeking procedural relief. The court, however, pointed out that Gambhir’s lawyer had not appeared on the day the original stay was vacated.

Why Was Gambhir Held For Trial?

The case dates back to September 2021, when the High Court had initially stayed the trial and sought responses from the Delhi drug control authority. Earlier in May 2021, a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh had ordered a probe into Gambhir’s alleged role in stocking Covid-19 medicines, including 2,628 strips of Fabiflu, of which 2,343 were distributed to patients. 

While the court noted that Gambhir may have acted with good intentions, it questioned whether his actions were responsible at a time when medicines were in short supply.

The allegations involve violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act for distributing medicines without a license during the pandemic, a charge that carries a possible prison term of three to five years and a fine.