Bombay High Court dismisses plea seeking Z-plus security for Adar Poonawalla

By LE Desk

Mumbai, June 12, 2021: The Bombay High Court has dismissed a petition seeking Z+ security cover for Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer of the Serum Institute of India (SII), which manufactures the Covishield vaccine against Covid-19.

The petition, filed by Mumbai-based lawyer Advocate Datta Mane, also requested the filing of an FIR against those who allegedly threatened Poonawalla in relation to the supply of vaccine. Poonawalla has already been provided Y security by the Centre, which has been termed an ‘eyewash’ by the plea.

Justice SS Shinde’s division bench stated, “You are seeking protection for someone else, but what if he says he doesn’t want it? How can we incorporate all of this into your petition? We heard your petition, and the state may have taken action since the previous hearing.”

“We cannot continue to accept petitions like these. The state is aware of the issue and is taking appropriate action,” said the bench, reported India Today.

In a recent interview with the Times, Poonawalla stated that he has received threats and pressure from “powerful people” seeking vaccine doses on a priority basis.

Poonawalla also complained of being “vilified and blamed”, and hinted at starting a new vaccine production unit in the United Kingdom.

“If vaccine makers are threatened with life, then they will not be able to produce a vaccine to its fullest resources…If Adar Poonawalla is out of India due to fear of his life, then it will be Ship in Storm without its Captain. Poonawalla and SII have become lifesavers of the Indian population and hence the government must protect them. However, the chief ministers have indulged into giving threats; hence the court-monitored security protection is required to be given,” the plea said.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government informed the court that if Poonawalla arrives in the state and requests additional protection, he will be provided with it immediately.

https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/bombay-high-court-dismisses-plea-seeking-z-plus-security-for-adar-poonawalla-1813718-2021-06-11