SC Lifts Protection
SC ends relief to BS-III overage vehicles from coercive action in Delhi-NCR
This story was originally published at 17:27 IST on 17 December 2025
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NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Wednesday lifted the protection afforded to Bharat Stage-III end-of-life diesel and petrol vehicles from any coercive action by police authorities in the Delhi-National Capital Region. The court modified its August order, which had barred coercive action against owners of all 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in the Delhi-National Capital Region, following a request by the Delhi government due to the region's high air quality index.
Tuesday, the Delhi government announced a fresh set of strict measures to curb air pollution in the national capital, including a ban on fuel for vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate and restrictions on the entry of non-BS-VI vehicles from outside the city. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index in Delhi was 334 as of 1600 IST.
Incidentally, the Delhi government had earlier filed a petition against the ban on 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in the Delhi National Capital Region. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi government, had said the ban was arbitrary because those who owned vehicles for personal use were required to sell them, while cars used for commercial activity could continue to be used even after 10 and 15 years.
In 2015, the National Green Tribunal had directed that older vehicles should no longer be allowed to ply in the Delhi National Capital Region. The apex court upheld the tribunal's 2018 order. In July, the Delhi government issued a directive prohibiting the sale of fuel to end-of-life vehicles at petroleum outlets, but the directive was put on hold after a public backlash.
The Delhi government had argued in the Supreme Court that a comprehensive policy was required to tackle pollution in the Delhi National Capital Region, which gives vehicle fitness based on actual emission levels of individual vehicles as per a scientific method, rather than a blanket ban on overage vehicles. The Delhi government sought a comprehensive study by the central government and the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas to assess the actual environmental benefits of age-based restrictions versus emission-based criteria. End
Reported by Surya Tripathi
Edited by Saji George Titus
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