Don't travel by air, Supreme Court tells petitioner
The apex court refused an urgent listing for a plea alleging a 700 per cent increase in airfares.
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant an urgent listing for a plea that alleges airfares have increased by nearly 700 per cent, according to The Hindu.
A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and Aparesh Kumar Singh made the observation after an advocate requested an urgent hearing. When the advocate stated that aviation fares had risen by 700 per cent, the Bench responded, "Don't travel by air."
The advocate argued that air travel is an essential service and that the price hikes constitute a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, which concerns equality before the law.
The court is already considering a separate petition by social activist S. Laxminarayanan. The activist is seeking an independent regulator to ensure transparency and guidelines to manage unpredictable fluctuations in airfares and ancillary charges from private airlines.
During an October 16 hearing, the Centre informed the court that administrative approval has been granted for rules under 2024 legislation to regulate the aviation sector. These rules are expected to be published within two weeks.
The Supreme Court has directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to present the published rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, at the next hearing on November 16.