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Synopsis

In a significant move on Thursday, the Allahabad High Court summoned an officer from the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, after a practicing advocate brought both half a kilogram of banned 'Chinese' garlic and regular garlic into the courtroom.

Court's order came in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Moti Lal Yadav, who raised concerns about the availability of banned Chinese garlic in Indian markets, despite the ban imposed in 2014 due to its harmful effects.

The bench, comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Om Prakash Shukla, passed the order summoning the State Government official.

Court also sought instructions on whether any efforts had been made to track the source of entry of the banned garlic and how the government intends to prevent it.

It directed the Deputy Solicitor General of India, Surya Bhan Pandey, to seek clarification on the mechanism in place to prevent the entry of such banned items into the country.

Advocate Yadav’s PIL calls for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the illegal import and sale of Chinese garlic in India and to take necessary legal action against guilty officials and other offenders involved in the trade.

In 2014, the Indian Government prohibited the import of Chinese garlic after reports surfaced of fungus-infested garlic entering the country. Concerns were raised that the smuggled garlic contained high levels of pesticides, prompting the ban. Notably, China is the world’s largest producer of garlic.

The court then scheduled the matter for further hearing on Friday, September 27 i.e. today.

Case Title: Moti Lal Yadav Vs. Union Of India Thru. Secy., Ministry Of Commerce And Industry, New Delhi And 4 Others