Supreme Court PIL Seeks Ban on Indian Arms Exports to Israel, Citing International Law Violations.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court of India, raising concerns about Indian companies supplying arms to Israel. The petitioners argue that this practice should be halted immediately, as it violates both Indian constitutional rights and international obligations. The PIL specifically requests that the licenses of Indian companies supplying arms and military equipment to Israel, currently engaged in the conflict in Gaza, be revoked. Furthermore, it calls for the government to refrain from issuing new licenses for such exports in the future.

The Ministry of Defence has been named as a respondent in the petition. The petitioners have cited various international laws and treaties to which India is a signatory. They argue that these agreements obligate India not to supply military weapons to countries accused of war crimes. According to the petition, any export of arms that could be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law should be considered illegal and against India’s international commitments.

The PIL has been filed by a group of eleven individuals, including prominent public figures such as senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, social activist Harsh Mander, economist Jean Drèze, and activist Nikhil Dey. Among the petitioners is Ashok Kumar Sharma, a resident of Noida, who has expressed serious concerns about the role of Indian companies in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He specifically pointed out that several companies, including public sector enterprises under the Ministry of Defence, are involved in the supply of arms to Israel. The petitioners argue that this not only violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee the right to equality and the right to life, but also contravenes India’s obligations under international law.

The petitioners have urged the Supreme Court to take immediate action to address this issue, emphasizing that India’s role as a responsible member of the international community is at stake. They assert that the continuation of such arms exports could tarnish India’s reputation and undermine its commitment to upholding human rights and international law. The PIL seeks a judicial review of the government’s policies on arms exports, particularly in conflict zones where there is a high risk of these weapons being used in violations of international humanitarian norms.