Vaccine trial: Serum institute files 100 crores defamation suit against complainant

Serum Institute of India, on Sunday, filed a defamation suit of 100 crores against the 40-year-old who took part in the testing of its vaccine Covishield. After receiving the vaccine, the patient alleged that he developed neurological and psychological symptoms and demanded a compensation of 5 crores from the institute. The law firm representing the complainant also sent legal notices to concerned parties that stated, "The testing, manufacturing and the distribution of the vaccine should also be stopped immediately."

Covishield is a vaccine being developed by Oxford with AstraZeneca. In India, it is being tested in partnership with the Pune serum institute. The complainant had volunteered in the testing held at Sri Ramachandra Higher Education and Research Institute in Chennai on the first of October.

The serum institute has denied the allegations claiming them to be baseless and filed a defamation suit as well as a criminal case against him.

While expressing sympathy for his health issues, the institute also claimed that there is no correlation between the health issues of the complainant and the vaccination. A senior official also responded that the complainant is using the opportunity to seize the money.