Supreme Court Halts Coercive Action Against Owners of End-of-Life Vehicles

New Delhi, August 12 – The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered that no coercive measures be taken against owners of diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old, pending a review of the long-standing ban on such vehicles in the capital.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai issued the direction while hearing the Delhi government’s plea seeking reconsideration of the 2018 Supreme Court order upholding the ban. The Court has issued notice to all parties and scheduled the matter for hearing after four weeks.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi government, argued that the current rule is arbitrary as it ignores a vehicle’s actual usage. “I may use my vehicle sparingly—just 2,000 kilometres in ten years—yet I must sell it after the prescribed period, while a taxi could clock 200,000 kilometres in a single year and remain operational,” he submitted.

While acknowledging the need for deliberation, the bench said: “Issue notice. Returnable in four weeks. In the meantime, no coercive steps shall be taken solely on the grounds that vehicles are 10 years old (diesel) or 15 years old (petrol).”

Background to the Dispute

At the centre of the case is a decade-old policy banning diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years from Delhi roads. Introduced by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2015 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018, the measure was intended to curb severe air pollution in the National Capital Region. The order prohibits such vehicles from operating, parking, or even refuelling in public spaces.

The Delhi government’s petition questions whether the policy should be determined solely by vehicle age or instead by emissions performance and compliance with modern standards such as Bharat Stage VI norms. The plea argues that the ban disproportionately impacts the middle class, lacks robust scientific basis, and fails to account for advancements in pollution control technology.

The debate intensified in July when the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directed fuel stations to stop supplying petrol and diesel to “end-of-life” vehicles from July 1. However, following strong public backlash, the order was suspended within two days. In a subsequent policy shift, the Delhi government stated that age should not be the sole criterion for restricting vehicles from the roads.

The Supreme Court’s eventual ruling is expected to have significant implications for environmental policy, public health, and the economic interests of vehicle owners across the capital.