Plea against Bharti Walmart irrelevant, court told

New Delhi, Sep 26 (IANS) The Delhi High Court was Wednesday informed by the government that in the wake of a new policy on foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail, a plea against Bharti Walmart for "violating the policy" has become irrelevant.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Rajiv Mehra told a division bench of Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw that in the changed scenario, when the FDI in retail has been allowed, the petition has lost its "relevance".

"In the wake of new policy on FDI in retail sector, this petition will not survive," ASG Mehra said.

Scientist and environmental activist Vandana Shiva filed the public interest litigation against Bharti Walmart Private Limited and Bharti Retail Limited for allegedly "violating the FDI policy in the retail sector".

On the government submission, Shiva's counsel said that fresh instructions were needed to be taken from the petitioner.

The court would next hear the matter Oct 3.

The petition alleged that the retail giants were illegally carrying out multi-brand retail trade despite being permitted only to carry out wholesale cash and carry trade.

The petitioner accused many established Indian companies of operating as fronts for foreign trading companies, thereby circumventing the FDI rules.