Supreme Court's Split Verdict on GM Mustard Hybrid: Legal and Environmental Implications

The Supreme Court gave a split verdict on the validity of the Center's 2022 decisions regarding the environmental release of mustard hybrid DMH-11 for seed production and testing. The bench directed the formulation of a national policy on GM crops, emphasizing a stakeholder consultation process.

The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on Tuesday regarding the validity of the 2022 decisions by the Center on the environmental release of mustard hybrid DMH-11 for seed production and testing.

The bench, comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol, reviewed pleas challenging the October 18 and October 25 decisions by the GEAC, the regulatory body for genetically modified organisms in India. Post deliberation, the justices gave conflicting opinions.

The court directed the Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud to assign the matter to an appropriate bench for final adjudication. Both justices agreed on the need for a national policy on GM crops, urging the environment ministry to consult stakeholders and experts within four months before formulating the policy.

Justice Nagarathna highlighted procedural lapses in the GEAC decisions, while Justice Karol deemed them procedurally sound, advocating for field trials with strict safeguards. The verdict arose from pleas by activist Aruna Rodrigues and NGO 'Gene Campaign' seeking a moratorium on the release of GMOs until a rigorous biosafety protocol is established.