SC Halts Enforcement Against Old Vehicles in Delhi-NCR
The Supreme Court of India has issued a temporary relief for owners of older vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region. It directed that no coercive action—such as fuel denial or fines—be taken against diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, pending a full review of the ban.
Direction and Timeline
A bench led by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai, along with Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N. V. Anjaria, granted the stay while hearing a petition filed by the Delhi government. The court issued notices to the Centre and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), setting a four-week deadline for further proceedings.
Government’s View
The Delhi government argued that the age-based ban, in place since 2018, lacks scientific support. It urged the court to consider emissions-based criteria instead and highlighted that many older vehicles are BS-VI compliant, infrequently used, and minimally polluting.
Public Impact
The decision offers significant relief to vehicle owners, particularly middle-income families dependent on older vehicles for daily needs. The directive must be interpreted as an interim measure, with definitive rulings expected in the weeks ahead.
