Drugs and cylinders seized by police to be released, property should be refrigerated so it doesn’t lose efficacy.

On 29th April, 2021 the High Court of Delhi shed light on situations where the Delhi Police has made seizures of Remdesivir Drug, as well as Oxygen Cylinders upon their conducting raids on premises of persons alleged to be hoarding, and selling these essentials in black market. The High Court held that-

“Whenever any seizure is made of the medicines/ Oxygen cylinders, , the IOs should immediately inform the concerned District Commissioner about the same, and they should also proceed, without waiting for any further orders, to ascertain the genuineness of the said medicines. They should also ensure that the said case property is kept in refrigerated environment, so that the same does not lose its efficacy and become nonusable. The District Commissioners should proceed to pass orders for release of the same without any delay.

We also direct the Delhi Police to immediately release the seized Remdesivir or other Drug used for treating COVID-19, or any Oxygen cylinders, which are seized from the possession of the patients or their attendants, since they would have procured the same only out of desperation, and in need. However, the Delhi Police would be bound to conduct the investigation in the case with the assistance and cooperation of all concerned, which shall be rendered by the public at large. While releasing the case property, it shall be ensured by the Delhi Police that photographs/ copies of the relevant documents are retained, so that the case could proceed before the court concerned.”