No bail to elderly couple who ran Mumbai hospital where fake Covid vaccines were given
India Today
A Mumbai court denied bail to Dr Shivraj Pataria and Neeta Pataria, who run a city hospital where fake Covid-19 vaccines were administered during a vaccination camp last year.
Additional Sessions judge BV Wagh refused to grant bail to Dr Shivraj Pataria and Neeta Pataria, who run Shivam hospital in the Charkop area of Mumbai where fake Covid-19 vaccines were administered to people during a vaccination camp in June last year.
The judge said, "During the vaccination camp, the accused arranged and injected bogus vaccines to 206 persons, which may be detrimental to their lives. The accused premises were used for the bogus vaccination camp, and it cannot be said that they have no knowledge. In fact, the duty of a medical practitioner is of a life-saver, instead of indulging in playing with the life of the needy in a lure of illegal enrichment."
At least 206 people were allegedly given fake vaccine during the Covid-19 vaccination drive organised at Shivam hospital on June 3, 2021. The co-accused allegedly pocketed Rs 2,12,400 and Rs 79,296 in lieu of vaccination fees.
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It is alleged that all the accused entered into a conspiracy and conducted a fake vaccination drive. Neeta Pataria was in-charge of Shivam Hospital and Dr Shivraj was Nodal Officer of the facility.
Advocate Sunny Waskar, appearing for the accused couple, argued that they were innocent and falsely implicated in the case. He further stated that the main accused in the case has issued a confession letter revealing his sole responsibility in the alleged crime. Moreover, the entire drive was arranged at the behest of other co-accused in the case and that the doctor and his wife were nowhere concerned with the bogus vaccination camp, said Waskar.
The lawyer went on to say that the applicants are elderly persons, and have been in the medical service for a long time. He urged that since other co-accused have been released by the Bombay High Court, same parity should be extended to the Patarias.
