The Delhi High Court has closed the criminal case against Indian cricket team head coach and former MP Gautam Gambhir. The case also stood against his family members and his foundation. All allegations were related to the illegal stocking and distribution of COVID-19 medicines during the deadly 2021 wave. The order was issued on November 21, 2025. It brings an end to a four-year legal battle that had gained huge public attention.
Court Says Complaint Was Not Maintainable
The controversy began in April-May 2021. Delhi was facing one of the worst phases of the pandemic. Reports claimed that Gambhir’s office and foundation were giving antiviral medicines to people. These medicines were in short supply at the time. Critics said this amounted to hoarding and keeping medicines without permission. The Delhi government’s Drug Control Department then filed a complaint under Section 18(c) read with Section 27(b)(ii) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. These provisions make it illegal to manufacture, sell, or distribute drugs without a proper licence.
The complaint named Gambhir, his wife Natasha, his mother Seema, the foundation’s CEO Aprajita Singh, and the Gautam Gambhir Foundation. In September 2021, the High Court had stayed proceedings in the trial court. But the case remained open until this recent ruling.
On Friday, Justice Neena Bansal Krishna delivered the final order. She quashed the criminal complaint and also cancelled the trial court summons. The court said the complaint was not maintainable. This decision has given major relief to Gambhir and the others involved.
During the hearings, the Drug Control Department argued that the petitioners distributed medicines without a valid licence. They said the defence was only that the medicines were not sold but given free. Gambhir’s lawyers said the distribution was done only for humanitarian reasons. They said it was an attempt to help people at a time when hospitals, pharmacies, and even the government were unable to meet demand.
Earlier, Gambhir had filed a petition seeking to cancel the summons and the complaint. His lawyers said there was no criminal intent and that no public harm had occurred. The High Court had lifted the earlier stay in April 2024, after which Gambhir filed another plea. The final ruling has now closed the case completely.
The judgment also clears the Gautam Gambhir Foundation and his family members who served as trustees. At the time of the verdict, Gambhir was with the Indian cricket team in Guwahati preparing for the second Test against South Africa.
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