Supreme Court Transfers Anti-Malaria Drive Death Investigation to Andhra Pradesh High Court for Monitoring

The Supreme Court requested the Andhra Pradesh High Court to supervise the investigation into the reported death of a seven-year-old girl after an anti-malaria drive.

Background

A letter to the Chief Justice alleged that many villagers in Gollaguppa became ill after receiving chloroquine tablets. State counsel said a criminal case had been registered and a viscera report was awaited.

Legal issue

The Supreme Court considered whether judicial monitoring was appropriate given the seriousness of the allegations and the need for the investigation to reach a conclusion.

Court’s approach

Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana took suo motu notice and transferred the matter to the High Court for priority monitoring.

What follows

The transfer does not establish that the medicine caused the death or that any individual is criminally liable. The High Court will supervise the investigation and consequential proceedings.