This verdict, delivered by Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice D Venkataraman, is poised to have significant implications for garlic trade across the country.
In a landmark decision, the division bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that garlic should be classified as a vegetable rather than a spice. This verdict, delivered by Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice D Venkata Ramana, is poised to have significant implications for garlic trade across the country.
The court’s ruling allows garlic to be sold in both vegetable and spice markets, effectively eliminating previous trade restrictions and benefiting both farmers and sellers. The decision resolves ongoing disputes between farmers, traders, and commission agents, providing clarity on the market regulations for garlic.
Justice SA Dharmadhikari, who is notably the son of a railway gangman, and Justice D Venkataraman, together issued this pivotal judgment. Their ruling aimed to facilitate a more streamlined and equitable distribution of garlic in the market, potentially enhancing economic opportunities for those involved in its trade.
Profile of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari
Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, born on July 8, 1966, in Raipur, has built a distinguished career in law. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. With a comprehensive background in civil, criminal, and constitutional law, Justice Dharmadhikari brings over 24 years of experience as an advocate at the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Jabalpur.
Justice Dharmadhikari began his legal career in 1992 as a junior to Senior Advocate YS Dharmadhikari, who was the former Advocate General of Madhya Pradesh. Between 2000 and 2015, he served as the Standing Counsel for several prominent institutions, including the Income Tax Department, the Reserve Bank of India, and Excise department. His counsel was also sought by the District Central Cooperative Bank of Hoshangabad, various public sector undertakings, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, BSNL, and the Welfare Commissioner for Bhopal gas tragedy victims.
On April 7, 2016, Justice Dharmadhikari was appointed as an additional judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and was confirmed as a permanent judge on March 17, 2018.
Profile of Justice Duppala Venkata Ramana
Justice Duppala Venkata Ramana was born on June 3, 1963, in Chinna Boddupalli village, Ponduru Mandal, Srikakulam district. His father, Duppala Appanna, worked as a railway gangman and passed away when Justice Ramana was just 13 years old. He was subsequently raised by his mother, Mrs Varahalamma, and his elder brother, Duppala Venkata Satyam.
Justice Ramana earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1989 from NVP Law College in Visakhapatnam and went on to obtain a postgraduate degree in law from Acharya Nagarjuna University in Guntur. In June 1989, he was enrolled as an advocate and began practicing law with the Srikakulam District Bar Association, where he continued until June 1990.
Justice Ramana began his legal practice with the Visakhapatnam Bar Association, where he worked until May 1994. As the first-generation lawyer in his family, his career progressed rapidly. In 1994, he was elected as a District Munsif and served in various locations, including Amalapuram, Macherla, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Tirupati.
In January 2007, he was promoted to Senior Civil Judge and held positions in Hyderabad, Tirupati, and Kakinada. He was further elevated to the role of District Judge in 2015, serving as the VII Additional District & Sessions Judge in Kakinada and as the X Additional District & Sessions Judge in Gurajala. From 2015 to 2017, he also served as the Devasthanam Law Officer at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).
Justice Ramana served as Registrar (Management), Registrar (Recruitment), and Registrar (Administration) from June 2019 until August 3, 2022. On August 4, 2022, he was promoted to Additional Judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, where he served until October 30, 2023. On November 1, 2023, he took the oath as Additional Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur.
