[Chinese App Ban] Delhi High Court Issues Notice To Amazon India On Plea Against Sale Of Shein Products During Prime Day Sale

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice to e-commerce giant Amazon India on a petition filed against proposed sale of products belonging to Chinese apparel brand Shein during its prime day sale.

Amazon's prime day sale which is scheduled to kick-off on July 25 will also include products from Shein amongst its other 1.2 million sellers. However, 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.

Taking note of the grievance raised, a Bench comprising Chief Justice D.N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued notice to both Amazon India and the Union Government. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma accepted notice for the latter.

Senior counsel Vivek Raj Singh representing the petitioner submitted before the Court that it is imperative that the prime day sale does not go ahead with the inclusion of Shein products in light of the ban imposed by the Centre. Citing concerns such as the transfer of data of Indian users to Chinese agencies, the counsel also apprised the Court that he had made a detailed representation in this regard to the IT Ministry.

In response, the Ministry had sought concrete suggestions from the petitioner which was accordingly complied with. However, no action has been taken by the Ministry yet in pursuance of the grievance raised, the counsel submitted.

"We immediately responded to the Ministry giving suggestions such as partial suspension, third-party audits but nothing has been done by the Ministry. There should be a total ban on sale of Shein products in India", the petitioner contended.

The matter is slated to be heard next on August 20.

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