A recent PIL asked the Supreme Court to stop India from exporting weapons and military equipment to Israel. The petitioners wanted the court to order the Central government to end these exports. However, the Supreme Court has now given its ruling.
Israel is currently at war with Palestinian fighters in Gaza. Indian companies are selling weapons to Israel. The court dismissed the PIL today, stating that it cannot interfere with the country’s foreign policy.
The bench, including Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Mishra, said that Indian companies exporting weapons to Israel cannot be stopped. The companies could face legal issues for breaking contractual obligations. The Chief Justice added that any order from the court could affect India’s foreign policy, with unknown consequences.
During the hearing, lawyer Prashant Bhushan argued that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. In response, the court stated it does not interfere with foreign policy decisions, giving examples like not stopping the government from buying oil from Russia or withdrawing investments from the Maldives.
Ashok Kumar Sharma and others filed the PIL through Prashant Bhushan, asking the government to cancel the licenses of Indian firms exporting weapons to Israel and to stop issuing new licenses.