Read Time: 03 minutes

Synopsis

The Delhi High Court has closed proceedings in a lawsuit filed by Pakistani entities, Trading Corporation of Pakistan Private Limited, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan, and Basmati Growers Association, seeking an injunction against the Indian government.

The injunction aimed to prevent the Indian government from allowing rice exports under the trade name 'Super Basmati.'

The bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh dismissed the suit for non-prosecution, noting the absence of representation on behalf of the plaintiffs.

"Considering the Defendant’s stand recorded as above, no further orders are called for in the present suit. The suit is, accordingly, dismissed for non-prosecution. All pending applications are also disposed of,” the judge said.

The entities, including Trading Corporation of Pakistan Private Limited, which is reportedly owned by the Ministry of Commerce of the Government of Pakistan, have not pursued the lawsuit since 2020.

The plea sought a permanent injunction directing the Indian government not to implement a May 24, 2006 Gazette Notification permitting the export of evolved Basmati rice, or any rice from India, under the name or variety of 'Super Basmati.'

The government of India's counsel argued that, as per a September 18, 2017 notification from the Ministry of Agriculture, the seed production of all notified varieties of Basmati rice is restricted to the geographical indication (GI) registered rice-growing areas, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, parts of Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

 Case Title: Trading Corporation of Pakistan Pvt. Ltd. v. Govt. of India Ministry of Commerce & Industry