HC restrains four people from 'curing' HIV/AIDS

Bangalore, Mar 27 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court today restrained four people, claiming to have cure and treatment for HIV/AIDS, from issuing advertisements or material about the cure and selling or manufacturing drugs for the killer disease.

Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Mr Justice Ajit Gunjal granted the interim direction on a public interest litigation filed by the Karnataka Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS, Bangalore, seeking for a direction to the State and other authorities to take immediate action against the four people for misrepresenting people.

The State and Drugs Controller were directed to keep a vigil against false propaganda or publication regarding treatment and cure for HIV/AIDS and take immediate and effective action against those violating the provisions of the Karnataka Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act. The Drugs Controller was further directed to proceed with criminal proceedings already initiated against the respondents.

The petitioner contended that the respondents -- Balachandra K Papali Nayak, Dr Ramanand Rao, Dr JDV Rao and AY Ramesh -- were claiming to cure AIDS through ayurvedic medicine, homoeopathic and other alternative medical systems at Wilson Garden and Double Road areas in the city. The respondents filed a statement, denying the allegations.

The State and Drugs Controller had filed objections, stating that two of the respondents were registered as medical practitioners under the Karnataka Ayurvedic and Unani Practitioners Act and the Karnataka Homoeopathic Act and the rest were unqualified persons.

All the four had no specialised qualification to treat AIDS. Notices had been issued and a case under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act was being contemplated.

UNI