Supreme Court refuses urgent listing of plea over airfare hike
A bench of three judges remarked
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to grant an urgent hearing to a petition alleging that airfares have increased by nearly 700 per cent, according to The Assam Tribune and Times of India.
An advocate mentioned the matter before a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and Aparesh Kumar Singh. When the counsel argued that the price surge violated Article 14 of the Constitution and that air travel is an essential service, Justice Vikram Nath responded, "Don't travel by air. Next case."
The court did not pass any orders on the submission and moved to the next matter. The petition seeks to address the steep rise in ticket costs.
The apex court is currently hearing a different petition from social activist S Laxminarayanan. Laxminarayanan has requested an independent regulator to ensure transparency and guidelines to manage unpredictable fluctuations in airfares and additional charges from private airlines.
During an October 16 hearing on the activist's plea, the Centre stated that administrative approval has been granted for rules under a 2024 law intended to regulate the aviation sector. These rules are expected to be published within two weeks.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has been asked to present the published rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, at the next hearing scheduled for November 16.