A Mumbai-based company recently moved the Bombay High Court seeking release of kiwi fruits from detention as there is a suspicion that they are from Iran.
A vacation bench of Justices P.D. Naik and Abhay Ahuja was hearing a plea filed by Mahalaxmi Construction Aids for the release of the kiwi fruits from detention of 45 days. The company said detention of the fruits under the bill of March 13, 2022 is illegal.
As per the Department of Revenue, the fruits have arrived from Iran and there is a ban by the Government of India for import of such fruits from Iran on the ground that they are not fit for consumption. As per the affidavit by the Union of India, “there is a suspicion that the goods, ie. fresh Kiwi were indicative of Iran origin. The goods were found imported in crates stacked in a pallet of Iranian Stamping as per the International Plant Protection Convention.”
