In Brief
The State of Maharashtra sealed a seed processing plant operated by Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. at Dhanora, suspecting violation of seed laws, including unlicensed storage and packaging of seeds and stocking of genetically modified cotton hybrids without proper regulatory approval. The High Court ordered the godown unsealed, holding that no separate licence was needed for storage meant for transportation. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that the Seeds Act and Rules require a dealer's licence for any storage of packaged and labelled seeds, whether for sale or transportation. Processing licences do not permit packaging or labelling. The Court upheld the Seed Inspector's authority to seal godowns in exceptional cases where regulatory violations are evident and safeguards are observed.
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