'Banned Chinese Apps, Not Sale On Another Platform': Centre Tells Delhi High Court In Plea Against Sale Of Shein Products On Amazon

The Central Government has informed the Delhi High Court that its order banning the use of 59 Chinese mobile applications amid security concerns does not preclude the companies from selling their products in India through another e-commerce platform.

The development comes by way of an affidavit filed by the Centre before a Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh in a plea against sale of products belonging to Chinese apparel brand Shein on e-commerce platform Amazon.

Shein was among the 59 Chinese mobile apps that were banned by the central government in June 2020 citing threat to the sovereignty and integrity of India. The ban was imposed in light of the India-China stand-off at Galwan valley in Ladakh.

Citing concerns such as transfer of data of Indian users to Chinese agencies, Senior counsel Vivek Raj Singh representing the petitioner urged the Court to pass an interim stay order.

"Section 69A of the IT Act is of utmost consideration here. It relates to the integrity and sovereignty of the country...These apps were banned because customer details were being passed on to Chinese makers. Now they are approaching the country through a different platform," Singh argued.

However, the Bench highlighted that as per the affidavit filed by the Government, the ban is on mobile applications, not on sale through another platform. "There is no bar upon sale. What do you have to say about this?" the Bench asked Singh.

Meanwhile, Advocate Savni D Endlaw appearing for Amazon submitted that they are yet to receive a copy of the petition.

Accordingly, direction was passed to the Petitioner to supply a fresh copy of the petition to Amazon's counsel. Time is granted to file reply by December 1, 2021.

Case Title: Anantika Singh v. Amazon India & Anr.