Delhi HC to Centre: 'High time' to fix MRP of oxygen concentrators to stop black marketing

The court issued contempt notices to everyone named in FIRs in connection with black marketing of medicines and equipment

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday told the Centre to fix MRP of oxygen concentrators immediately, in a bid to stop black marketing and hoarding other Covid-19 related medical equipment.

A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said it is “high time” that the government fixed MRP of oxygen concentrators and medical equipment required for treatment of Covid-19 patients.

Read | People need to stand up against black marketing, hoarding: HC

The court made the suggestion while issuing contempt notices to all persons named in the FIRs lodged after May 2 in connection with hoarding and black marketing of medicines and equipment.

The bench said the notices would be served to the persons though the SHO of the local police stations and directed the accused persons to appear before it virtually on May 19. The High Court said the notices would be served to those persons whose names were added in the 40 odd FIRs during investigation.

On May 2, the High Court, in its order, had said individuals, booked for black marketing and hoarding should be brought before it and the it will take contempt of court action against them.

Advocate Sanjeev Sagar submitted before the High Court that in the hearings in connection with these FIRs in the trial court, the prosecutor appeared to be unaware of May 2, order of this bench to book those who are involved in hoarding and black marketing.

The bench was informed that a trial court had said that offences cannot be "made up" against such individuals.

Amicus curiae and senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao submitted that trial court cannot be blamed as MRP has not yet been fixed for a majority of the imported equipment. He further added that Centre should inform the High Court on the steps taken in the matter.

Rao added that people can escape prosecution in the long run as no MRP has been fixed for the imported medicines and equipment involved in the treatment of Covid patients.

Media reports in connection with the trial court hearing of the anticipatory bail filed by businessman Navneet Kalra in the alleged seizure of oxygen concentrators from his upscale restaurants, were cited before the High Court.

The court was informed that the trial court had noted a law has to be made to regulate the prices and people cannot be penalised in a hurry.

The court asked Sagar to prepare a note on the issue of price fixation, which can be circulated amongst public prosecutors and judicial officers in the subordinate courts.