Almost a month back, when the second wave of COVID had reached its peak and was wreaking havoc all over the country like never before, Delhi turned out to be one of the worst sufferers. With essential medicines being unavailable with their stocks dwindling, Gautam Gambhir had stepped forward, announcing on Twitter that the inhabitants of East Delhi could collect Fabiflu, one of the most important medicines prescribed for COVID treatment, from his office.

People of East Delhi can get ‘Fabiflu’ from MP office (2, Jagriti Enclave) for FREE between 10-5. Kindly get Aadhar & prescription

पूर्वी दिल्ली के लोग “Fabiflu” मेरे कार्यालय (2, जाग्रति एन्क्लेव) से 10 से 5 के बीच मुफ़्त में ले सकते हैं. अपना आधार और डॉक्टर की पर्ची ले आएं

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) April 21, 2021

While he received public accolades for this back then, it ended up proving to be a mess later on for him. He was accused of 'illegally hoarding' the medicine, while chemists all around the country were out of stock. He did receive intense political flak for this as well, alleging misconduct.

Gujarat - BJP president hoarding life saving injections

Maharastra - BJP EX CM fadnavis hoarding remdesivir

Delhi- Part-time BJP MP & Full-time cricket commentator hoarding life saving medicines.

Public representatives or criminals?

You decide. https://t.co/teS1NhHMjP

— Durgesh Pathak (@ipathak25) April 21, 2021

1) How much Fabiflu do you have in your possession?
2) How did you procure so much of Fabiflu? @GautamGambhir

CC @ArvindKejriwal :
1) Is this legal?
2) Is the shortage of Fabiflu at chemists’ shops due to such unauthorised procurement/distribution? https://t.co/ZfKnLINB2J

— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) April 21, 2021

He was assertive enough in his defence with the statement "If a few 100 strips of tablets obtained from a distributor are being given for free, then, can it be called hoarding? Is my obtaining a few strips of Fabiflu causing the shortage? You can call me wrong, but I'll do everything to save the lives of people", and pointed out the rampant 'black marketing' of Remdesivir.

Those who allowed Remdesivir to be black marketed at more than 30 thousand a vial & hospital beds to be sold for 5-10 Lakh in Delhi are concerned that a few hundred Fabiflu strips are being given for FREE to the poor. That’s their understanding of “Hoarding” #HumanLivesMatter

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) April 21, 2021

The Delhi HC, after hearing the plea against him, observed that he has done a disservice by procuring the medicine without following due protocol, even if his intentions were good. The court said: "Whatever investigation is done, let the drug controller look into it. He [Gambhir] has been a national player. We are sure he had good intentions. But the way he has gone about it, he has actually done a disservice, even if unintentionally."

Twitter, obviously, is divided.

Sooner or later questions will be asked why courts are selective in censuring when Pappu Firangi's youth wing have been hoarding meds & oxy concentrators the most. A feeling in genersl public courts are going soft on Mango Aadmi Party.

— मैं हूँ भारत🇮🇳 (@ImIndia5) May 24, 2021

So providing essential medicines to needy for free is disservice towards humanity...Joke..

— Laxmikant Karwa 🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@LKK0209) May 24, 2021

Delhi govt Minister distribute oxygen cylinder that is ok. But how can Gambhir help the needy ?

— MUKESH AGARWAL🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@MUKESH041989) May 24, 2021

Good let's investigate all. From @IYC to @GautamGambhir.

— Singhvaccinated (@quarantinehoon) May 24, 2021

Hoarding is disservice

— Inqilabi Boy (@Inqilabi_Boy) May 24, 2021

Isko to 10 din ki jail honi chahiye

— #MASK or #Go to #Hell ,#KISAN कानपुर वाला (@AshishCawnpore) May 24, 2021

Disservice?
Was he hoarding for himself or blackmarkeeting?
He was providing them free to the people in need..this is what you call disservice..may be time to change the definition of disservice then..
He is a HERO,a role model for MP/MLA's..

— Mansi Trivedi (@mansitrivedi23) May 24, 2021

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

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