New Delhi, February 19 "Do you realize the damage this has caused to the country's image?" the Supreme Court asked a pharmaceutical company on Thursday, in connection with allegations that its cough syrups caused the deaths of more than 18 children in Uzbekistan.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi refused to overturn an order that had summoned the company and some of its officials in response to a complaint alleging various violations, including the manufacture and sale of drugs declared "not of standard quality."
"Are you doing this just for money? The nation's image is being tarnished because of this," the bench said.
The lawyers for the company and its officials argued that there was no evidence to show that the syrup caused any deaths.
"Do you realize the damage this has caused to the country's image?" the bench asked.
The Supreme Court refused to interfere with the Allahabad High Court's verdict that had dismissed the pleas filed by the company and some of its officials, who had challenged a January 2024 summons order issued by the chief judicial magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar.
The chief judicial magistrate had issued the order in a complaint filed under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, in Noida.
The Supreme Court was hearing a plea filed against the high court's order.
A complaint was filed by a drugs inspector, alleging various violations, including the manufacture and sale of drugs declared "not of standard quality," as well as invoking sections related to adulterated and spurious drugs, procedural non-compliance, and the liability of company officials.
In its order, the high court noted that the case was primarily based on a test analysis report declaring certain samples "not of standard quality," which led to proceedings under relevant sections of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
During the arguments in the matter before the high court, the lawyers representing the Centre had claimed that the syrup manufactured by the company was found to be poisonous in Uzbekistan, resulting in the deaths of more than 18 children.
While dismissing the pleas challenging the summons order, the high court had held that there was no illegality or infirmity in the order issued by the magistrate.