Mon Aug 25 19:48:38 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewrite of the provided text as a news article:

**Summary:**

The Delhi High Court has declined to immediately halt trial court proceedings against Gautam Gambhir, his foundation, and family members, who are accused of illegally stockpiling and distributing COVID-19 drugs in 2021. While the court agreed to hear a petition to quash the FIR on August 29, it refused to reinstate a stay on the trial court, emphasizing that good intentions or charitable acts are not relevant to the case. The Drug Control Department filed the complaint.

**News Article:**

**Delhi High Court Refuses Stay in Gautam Gambhir COVID-19 Drug Case**

**New Delhi, August 26, 2025** – The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant an immediate stay on trial court proceedings against Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir, his foundation, and family members, who are facing charges of illegally stocking and distributing COVID-19 drugs during the height of the pandemic in 2021.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna agreed to hear a petition on August 29 seeking to quash the First Information Report (FIR) filed in the case and recall a previous order that had vacated a stay on the trial court. However, the court declined the request to reinstate the stay in the interim.

The Drug Control Department’s complaint alleges violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act against Gambhir, the Gautam Gambhir Foundation, its CEO Aprajita Singh, and Gambhir’s mother and wife, Seema Gambhir and Natasha Gambhir, who are also trustees of the foundation.

Gambhir’s counsel argued that the former East Delhi MP was acting in good faith, providing oxygen cylinders and medicines to those in need when the healthcare system was overwhelmed. The court, however, dismissed these arguments as irrelevant to the legal charges.

“Had you made a simple request, I would have considered it. You are trying to tell me so many things. Firstly, the name (of the party), his credentials, the work done by him… You are name dropping as if it will work in the court. It does not work,” the judge remarked.

The defense expressed concern that without a stay or a hearing before September 8, Gambhir’s wife and mother could be summoned to appear in court. The case is scheduled to continue on August 29.

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