SC gives spilt verdict on pleas challenging release of GM Mustard

The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave a split verdict on the validity of the Centre's 2022 decisions on the environmental release of mustard hybrid DMH-11 for seed production and testing.

A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol heard pleas challenging the October 18, 2022, decision of the GEAC -- the country's regulator for genetically modified organisms -- recommending environment release and the subsequent decision on October 25, approving the environmental release of transgenic mustard hybrid DMH-11.

After hearing the pleas, the bench gave a divergent opinion.

The bench directed the issue to be placed before the Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud for adjudication by the appropriate bench.

However, both the judges were unanimous in directing the Centre to formulate a national policy on Genetically Modified (GM) crops.

The bench directed that the environment ministry will undertake a consultation process with all the stakeholders and experts, preferably in four months