The Supreme Court on Monday asked the government to stop itself from embarking on any project on, or commercial release of, genetically modified (GM) mustard.
A Bench of Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said an injunction order would be passed if it was found that GM mustard affected health and lives for generations.
The court agreed with Additional Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta’s suggestion to get more scientific information on GM mustard by July 28 to address the apprehensions raised by the court and petitioner Aruna Rodrigues, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, on the after-effects of GM mustard. The court scheduled the case for hearing on July 31.
“If nothing happens, if there is no problem, then it is fine. But if there is going to be an impact, we would like to have an injunction in place, by either us or by you,” Chief Justice Khehar told Mr. Mehta categorically. Mr. Mehta said discussions and studies were still on about the large number of representations received from the public and scientific bodies about GM mustard.