Which High Court in India ordered a nationwide ban on the online sale of medicines through unlicensed e-pharmacies?

Introduction / Context:
The growth of online pharmacies has raised important questions about regulation, safety, and patient protection. Indian courts have occasionally stepped in to regulate or temporarily halt certain activities to ensure compliance with existing drug and pharmacy laws. This question tests whether you are aware of which High Court ordered a ban on the online sale of medicines through unlicensed platforms across India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

We are given:
- Names of five major High Courts in India.
- The question refers to an order banning online sale of medicines without proper regulation.

Concept / Approach:
This is a current affairs and legal awareness question. The Delhi High Court passed an interim order directing the central and state governments to restrain unlicensed e-pharmacies from selling medicines online, citing concerns about misuse of prescription drugs, self-medication, and the need to strictly follow the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Pharmacy Act.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall news reports about judicial intervention in the online pharmacy sector.
Step 2: Identify that the Delhi High Court was the court that issued directions to the central government and states.
Step 3: Understand that the order emphasized patient safety and compliance with drug laws.
Step 4: Discard other High Courts that did not issue such a nationwide directive.
Step 5: Choose 'Delhi High Court' as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Checking legal news archives or reputable newspapers confirms that a bench of the Delhi High Court directed the government to stop unlicensed online sale of medicines. The judgment highlighted the risk of dispensing prescription drugs without proper checks and called for regulatory clarity.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Hyderabad High Court: No landmark nationwide ban on online medicine sales is attributed to it in this context.
- Calcutta High Court: Did not issue the particular all-India direction referred to in this question.
- Bombay High Court: Also active in public interest litigations, but not the one connected with this specific ban.
- Madras High Court: Not the court that passed the widely reported interim order on this issue at that time.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may guess Bombay or Madras High Court because these courts often handle major commercial or healthcare-related cases. However, for online medicine sales, it was specifically the Delhi High Court whose interim order was widely reported and later cited in discussions about e-pharmacy regulation. Always associate the correct court with the specific issue when revising current affairs.

Final Answer:
Correct option: Delhi High Court