GM cotton patent row: SC issues notice on Monsanto's plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked an Indian company to respond to Monsanto's plea challenging a Delhi High Court verdict holding that the American firm cannot claim a patent on its genetically modified (GM) cotton seeds.

Issuing the notice to Indian company Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd., a bench headed by Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman said that it would issue common notice and posted the matter for a preliminary hearing on July 18.

Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Monsanto told the court that it would continue to supply the Indian company but sought a stay on the high court order.

The apex court, however, refused to interfere with the high court order at this stage.