Ahmedabad (Gujarat): The Gujarat High Court issued notices to state BJP president CR Patil and the Vijay Rupani government in connection with the procurement and distribution of Remdesivir, a key anti-viral drug used in COVID-19 treatment, from the party's Surat office.
The state BJP's free Remdesivir distribution drive of 5,000 vials started from its Surat office on April 10. Admitting a petition filed by the Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly, Paresh Dhanani, a division bench of Justices Sonia Gokani and Vaibhavi Nanavati on Tuesday also issued notices to Surat BJP MLA Harsh Sanghavi and the district collector, besides Patil and the state government.
The high court directed the Food and Drug commissioner to inform the bench on what steps were taken on Dhanani's representation, submitted on April 14, seeking action against Patil. Dhanani approached the high court against Patil claiming the drug was procured and stored illegally by the ruling party, as it did not have any license to do so.
Dhanani's plea in high court also sought action against Patil and MLA Sanghavi for violation of the Pharmacy Act and Drugs and Cosmetics Act, as well as the Disaster Management Act and Epidemic Diseases Act.
In his plea, Dhanani urged the high court to direct the state government to form a committee to probe the "illegal activity" of distributing 5,000 Remdesivir injections, and also initiate "civil and criminal proceedings" against Patil and Sanghavi as per the findings of such a committee.
READ: Can political parties procure and distribute Remdesivir?
BJP had gifted Remdesivir
Amid a shortage of Remdesivir in Surat city, a half-a-kilometer-long queue was seen outside the BJP's Surat city office on Saturday, April 10, as the party distributed the medicine vials for free. BJP's Surat city president Niranjan Janjhmera earlier told ETV Bharat that C R Patil had placed an order for 5,000 vials. BJP MP from Surat Darshna Jardosh told ETV Bharat that the arrangement was made for those who were under treatment and home isolation, provided they furnished the doctor's prescription and Aadhaar Card.
Not afraid of Cong's threats: Guj BJP chief on free Remdesivir distribution
Slamming the Congress Party, Gujarat BJP president C R Patil said earlier on Tuesday, April 14 that the opposition party leaders should stop threatening him over the free distribution of 5,000 doses of Remdesivir drug in Surat. On Monday, April 13, Surat BJP MLA Harsh Sanghavi said all the injections were procured from other states where they are in excess. Congress leaders called on Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and demanded Patil's arrest for alleged illegal procurement and storage of the medicine, which is in high demand.
