The Madras High Court, through a Division Bench, has rejected a Letters Rogatory (a request for international judicial assistance) issued by the district court of Delaware in the United States. The request aimed to secure oral and documentary evidence from a Chengalpattu-based pharmaceutical company.
This evidence was sought in the context of an ongoing patent dispute between pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Cipla. Pfizer had obtained the Letters Rogatory because Cipla and Zenara had a manufacturing contract with Softgel Healthcare Private Limited, the Chengalpattu firm, to produce their drug.
Pfizer had previously urged the Madras High Court to honor the request, proposing the appointment of a Legal Commissioner to collect evidence in the presence of a 'Confidentiality Club' comprising advocates from both nations. A single judge of the High Court had initially acceded to Pfizer’s request in January, appointing a Legal Commissioner, but also stated that Pfizer could not conduct a "roving inquiry" under the guise of the Letters Rogatory. Ultimately, the Division Bench rejected the Letters Rogatory.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/madras-high-court-rejects-letters-rogatory-issued-by-district-court-of-delaware-in-the-united-states/article70335179.ece