Delhi High Court refuses to stay proceedings against Gautam Gambhir

The Delhi High Court has not agreed with the plea of halting trial court proceedings against former Indian cricketer and current head coach Gautam Gambhir. There have been allegations of Gambhir along with his foundation and family members for illegally distributing COVID-19 medicines.

There was a plea made to quash the FIR against Gambhir. However, Justice Neena Bansal Krishna was firm in asserting that the court will entertain the request.

“Had you made a simple request, I would have considered it. You are trying to tell me so many things. Firstly, the name (of the party), his credentials, the work done by him. You are trying name-dropping as if it will work in the court. It does not work,” stated the judge, as quoted as saying by The Times of India.

The court hearing was scheduled to take place on September 8. It was also cited that the former Member of Parliament and cricketer had donated oxygen cylinders and medicines during the lockdown. However, the High Court did not budge from their original stance.

The HC observed that once a stay order is executed, there is an immediate stoppage in hearings, a stop in investigations and the entire case gets 'eventually dismissed'.

The complaint was originally filed by the Drug Control Department (DCD) against the Gambhir and his foundation - the Gautam Gambhir Foundation - and CEO Aprajita Singh. His mother (Seema Gambhir) wife (Natasha Gambhir) have also been named as the defaulters against the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Coming to the cricketing affairs, Gambhir will be involved with India and their Asia Cup 2025 campaign. The Men in Blue are placed in Group A along with Pakistan, Oman and hosts United Arab Emirates. The Indian team are coming off a 2-2 Test series draw in challenging English conditions.

Gambhir had not had a favourable start to his coaching stint after coming in for Rahul Dravid in May 2024. Under his coaching, India were whitewashed 0-3 at home. They also went onto lose the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by a 3-1 margin. However, Gambhir redeemed himself by coaching the team to a Champions Trophy win.