Ramdev’s Patanjali has landed itself in the spot of bother after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized 50 tonnes sandalwood being exported to China. Patanjali has now moved the Delhi High Court against the seizure, reported Economic Times.

According to the report, the DRI officials seized more than 50 tonnes of red sanders logs along with documents and a passport, which belonged to a Patanjali representative. It was said that while Patanjali only had permission to export Grade C sandalwood but the goods were seized on suspicion that they may have included better-quality Grade A and Grade B, they said.

“We haven’t exported so far but are in the process of exporting red sanders wood purchased from APFDCL (Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corp Ltd) and we have not done anything wrong or illegal. Everything is as per law of (the) land,” a Patanjali spokesperson said in an email. “In this process of export, all documents and facts comprising purchase order, proforma invoice, physical goods at Krishnapatnam Port, rate of goods, permission and licence are for C category red sanders wood. APFDCL in Andhra Pradesh has verified the same,” Patanjali was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Friday sought the response of the Centre and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Patanjali’s plea challenging seizure of red sandalwood it was being sent to China.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar issued notice to the Centre and the DRI seeking their stand on Patanjali’s plea for release of its goods which, according to it, was authorised for export by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, reported PTI.

Ramdev, in the past has called for an open boycott of Chinese goods. Not so long ago, he had said, “Indians should strictly ban the purchase of Chinese products. This will reduce their market in our country and they would be compelled to step back.”

“Once the Indians stop buying these products, these Chinese companies would be financially weak and shall be forced to withdraw themselves,” he was quoted by ANI.

In 2015, Patanjali had emerged as the biggest buyer of red sanders. In the auction conducted by the Andhra Pradesh government, Ramdev’s Patanjali had bought 706 tonnes of red sanders for Rs 207 crore.