The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has suffered a major setback after the High Court on Monday suspended its privileges and immunities under the Privileges and Immunities Act, which had been granted by the government.

The foundation, renowned for its global initiatives in health, education, and poverty alleviation, had enjoyed legal protections and benefits typically afforded to recognised non-governmental organisations.

“These privileges are not a blank check but a carefully calibrated mechanism to enable organisations like the Gates Foundation to deliver impactful programmes without bureaucratic hindrance,” he stated while emphasising that the immunities were in line with international norms.

However, LSK rejected this argument, asserting that the foundation, as a private entity, is not a party to the Vienna Convention and, therefore, cannot be granted immunity under the Privileges and Immunities Act.

“The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969) only applies to treaties between States. The term treaty refers to international agreements between sovereign States, not private organisations,” LSK argued.