Teesha –
The Bombay High Court on 1st June told the Maharashtra Government to assure the Serum Institute of India’s (SII) CEO, Adar Poonawalla of requisite security with regards of alleged threats to him over the supply of the Covishield vaccine manufactured by his company.
The vacation bench of Justices SS Shinde and Abhay Ahuja said that the State government being the highest functionaries should look after the security of Mr. Poonawalla as he is doing great service to the nation by manufacturing the Covid vaccine.
The Bench expressed that state’s top official must personally speak to Poonawalla and assure him safety once he returns from London.
The Order came while hearing the petition filed by Lawyer Datta Mane, seeking Z-Plus security for Adar Poonawalla, though the Union has already provided X-category security to him.
The Petition apprised that Mr. Poonawalla received threats from powerful people asserting pressure on him in order to provide vaccines to their state on priority basis and due to same he left to London.
“If Mr Poonawalla has expressed any concerns, the state must address them.” the Court said.
Furthermore, the Court directed the State Government to make a statement before the court on June 10 on the security provided to Mr. Poonawalla, the number of CRPF personnel that remain on guard for him and other related issues.