The Delhi High Court on Thursday (April 26) directed the Centre to take all possible steps to secure the custom clearance for procuring the PZP vaccine used for sterilisation of monkeys.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Harishankar said that the steps should be taken within
15 days so that the vaccine should be brought at the earliest.

The court’s direction came when it was informed by the Centre that the PZP vaccine is being imported from United States for research and development.

Counsel appearing for the Centre, informed the bench that this was the only vaccine which can be imported. But the drug is stuck at the customs office due to the absence of some clarifications.

The bench was hearing a PIL filed by advocate Meera Bhatia, seeking directions to the authorities to take steps to deal with the menace of monkeys and dogs in South Delhi Deer park, Hauz Khas.

During the proceedings, the bench also expressed displeasure that the customs department was under the Centre and despite that clearance to the drug was not being obtained from the customs.

“It is writ of 2001 and it has been almost 20 years but no concrete action has been taken. You are the Centre and the customs department is under you. Why can’t you get the clearance,” the bench said.

Replying to the bench, the Centre’s counsel said that some clarifications are required and it would be obtained at the earliest.

The court accepted counsel’s submission and fixed May 24 as the next date of hearing.

—India Legal Bureau