JSA has successfully advocated for PepsiCo India Holdings before a division bench of Delhi High Court, which overturned the revocation of its registration for potato variety FL 2027 under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, 2001.
The contested registration of the plant, used in the production of Lay’s potato chips, faced challenges from Kavitha Kuruganti, a farmers’ rights activist. The petition cited deficiencies in PepsiCo’s registration application and asserted that its approval was against the public’s interest.
JSA partner Dheeraj Nair and principal associate Anjali Anchayil led the team.
In December 2021, the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority revoked PepsiCo’s registration. While a single judge of Delhi High Court had set aside several of the authority’s findings, the revocation was upheld. Before the division bench, PepsiCo contested both the single judge’s decision and the authority’s revocation of its application.
The division bench ruled in favour of PepsiCo, overturning the prior judgments and dismissing Kuruganti’s appeal.
