New Delhi, Apr 27 (IANS): Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel has questioned the union government over the purchase of rapid antibody testing kits allegedly at high cost.

Patel took to Twitter and said: "The recent Delhi HC judgement has raised a pertinent question - Why was ICMR purchasing antibody test kits for Rs 600 per piece, which was imported for Rs 245?"

The Congress leader went on to add, "In the midst of a pandemic, no one should profit at the expense of the poor. Hope Govt clarifies this."

The Delhi High Court capped the maximum sale price of the COVID-19 test kits which were imported by the Matrix Labs after the matter was raised before a bench of Justice Najmi Waziri.

The court said, "For people to be assured that the pandemic is under control and for governments to ensure and for agencies engaged in the frontline battle to safeguard people's health, more kits/tests should be made available urgently at the lowest cost, for carrying out extensive tests throughout the country. Public interest must outweigh private gain."

But now, a senior opposition leader questioning the purchase at a higher price, the matter has assumed political colour.