The Kandivali police probing the fake vaccination drive in Hiranandani society in Kandivali opposed the anticipatory bail application of Dr. Manish Tripathi, an accused in the case, telling the court that the doctor had trained some students of his institute to administer saline injections to each other, as part of ‘vaccine practical training’ held at Shivam Hospital.
The police also told the Dindoshi sessions court that their preliminary probe has revealed that he himself filled normal saline in broken sealed vaccine vials and with the help of arrested accused, his student Karim Ali, 19, held nine vaccination camps.
Ali told the police during their probe, the police said, that Tripathi would take the empty vials after vaccination drives. Two arrested accused - Shivraj Patariya, founder of Shivam Hospital and his wife Neeta Patariya, had given Tripathi some vials for private sale. He had filled the empty vials with some substance and taken them to Hiranandani society and other camps, the police claim.
About the training held for students in Shivam hospital, police said Ali revealed that a teacher from Tripathi’s KCEP institute called them in March and told them to come for the training. Here, eight students were made to sit with Ali in a room. Tripathi, who was present there, gave them information about the vaccination and they were trained by administering normal saline to each other.
The police in their reply filed in court further said that on March 4, 2021 Shivam Hospital held a vaccination drive. In 10-15 days, Tripathi, with Ali, two others and two nurses held vaccination drives in six to seven locations in Andheri, two to three in Powai, in Grant Road, Santacruz and Kandivali. Tripathi paid Ali for the work. From all these drives, Tripathi would take empty vials.
The former student also stated that on 25 April, Tripathi had called him and said that his friend Mahendra (also an accused) has a vaccination drive in Malad and he should go there and help in the drive.
In one instance, when Ali had asked Tripathi about seals being broken of 30-35 Covishield vials, he had replied that nowadays they arrive like that.
The police said that at a time when the country is grappling with the pandemic, as a doctor the applicant has the social duty to save lives, but he has committed an offence putting people’s lives in danger and prayed that the court reject his plea.
