Two homeopathic physicians filed a PIL seeking directions to the Ministry of AYUSH to permit the treatment of mild coronavirus through homeopathic medicines. A three-judge SC bench dismissed the same.
Petitioner’s Submissions
The Petitioners are two homeopathic doctors named Dr Ravi M. Nair and Dr Asok Kumar Das. This prayer concerns the treatment of COVID-19 cases. They are represented by Advocate Suvidutt MS.
In their submissions to the Court, they have cited their observational research to claim that certain homeopathic medicines help prevent and combat the virus. They express that despite their solution, the authorities have not been approving clinical trials for the same.
They allege that this could be a violation of Article 21 as the authorities are stagnating and holding up a possible discovery that might save millions of lives.
They claim that homeopathy has ample potential to treat the contagious virus. They also mentioned certain advantages of the same. They are:
- Early recovery of the patient which reduces the chance of spreading the virus.
- It controls the progress of the diseases and thus limits further damage and complications. This might reduce the need for institutional care i.e. ventilators, etc.
- Contrary to the costly RT-PCR test, this system of treatment requires cheaper laboratory investigations.
- These medications are cheap and safe and hence more affordable to the general public. The availability of physicians is another factor to be considered.
- There is a limited number of allopathic hospitals; but, a much larger number of homeopathic physicians are available, even in remote places.
Petitioner’s Prayers
Based on their research, the petitioners pray to the Court to issue directions or orders to the Ministry of AYUSH to approve homeopathic treatment. They pray to the Court to ask the Central Government to use only homeopathic medicine to treat mild cases of COVID-19. They suggest that allopathic medicines should be used only for severe to critical cases to integrated with homeopathic medicine and add-on therapy.
Court’s Decision
The three-judge bench comprised of CJI S.A. Bobde, Justice AS Bopanna, and Justice V. Ramasubramanian. They decided to dismiss this plea but; the petitioners have the liberty to approach the Delhi High Court.
Libertatem.in is now on Telegram. Follow us for regular legal updates and judgments from the Court. Follow us on Google News, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter. You can also subscribe to our Weekly Email Updates. You can also contribute stories like this and help us spread awareness for a better society. Submit Your Post Now.
