The Court warned the petitioner to bear in mind that such proceedings "will have an international impact" and may hamper the good reputation that India enjoys internationally.
The Maharashtra government was ordered by the Bombay High Court on Thursday to respond to a petition requesting Z+ security cover for Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII), which manufactures and distributes the Covishield vaccine.
Datta Mane, a Mumbai lawyer, filed a petition seeking the registration of FIRs against those who allegedly threatened Poonawalla over the vaccine supply.The vacation bench of Justices SS Shinde and NR Borkar questioned Mane's jurisdiction to file such a plea during the hearing.
Mane's lawyer, Pradeep Havnur, told the court that any citizen in the country has the power to initiate criminal proceedings. While reasoning that such proceedings "would have an international impact" and may jeopardise India's excellent reputation, the Court advised Mane to keep in mind.
The Union Home Ministry had also provided Poonawalla 'Y' category security cover, according to the Bench. Poonawalla, on the other hand, appeared to find the security provided insufficient, and he left the country shortly after.The Bench stated in a recent conversation with Poonawalla's father that he appeared to have gone to London on vacation.
Having noted this, the Bench clarified that if there is a necessity, then the State will have to take action accordingly."He is doing a good job", the Court expressed. Mane said that he had filed a complaint with the Pune Police Commissioner and the Maharashtra Director General of Police.
Mane said that the Maharashtra government had asked Poonawalla to file a complaint so that action could be taken against those who were pressuring him.
Mane argued in his petition that if vaccine makers feel unsafe, it might impede vaccine production. In light of the foregoing, Mane requested the following in his petition:
The Pune Police Commissioner and the Director General of Maharashtra Police have been given orders to launch a FIR in response to Mane's allegations.
Direct respondents to provide 'Z Plus' security cover to Poonawalla and his family members and also protect the assets of SII.