Bombay HC Refuses Interim Shield to Pharma Firm in Snake Anti-Venom Case

The matter came up before the court after the firm’s proprietor, Upendra Kumar Singh, challenged a show-cause notice issued by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). The notice was served in connection with the supply of anti-venom vials to the Directorate of Health Services (DHS). Singh contended that the notice was premature and issued without proper jurisdiction, and sought protection from any coercive action

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However, the high court declined to stay the proceedings at this stage. Instead, it directed Singh to submit a detailed reply to the show-cause notice. The bench clarified that after receiving his response, the authorities must consider it before arriving at any final decision. At the same time, the court indicated that no final order should be passed until the next date of hearing.

The state government opposed the plea, arguing that Singh had not yet responded to the show-cause notice and that approaching the high court without first replying to the regulatory authority rendered the petition premature. The court took note of this submission while declining interim relief.

The show-cause notice issued by the FDA alleges that Aarav Pharma supplied spurious snake anti-venom vials to the DHS and calls upon the firm to explain why its drug licence should not be cancelled and penal action initiated. The matter is also linked to an anticipatory bail application filed by Singh before a lower court in connection with the same case.

According to a recent media report by The Times of India, the controversy arose after suspected spurious anti-venom vials supplied to Goa’s health services were seized, prompting regulatory scrutiny and further legal proceedings against the supplier. The case continues to be heard in court.