New Delhi, 15 December. The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a PIL seeking judicial intervention on the issue of cancellation of hundreds of flights by IndiGo and asked the petitioner to approach the Delhi High Court with his grievances. On December 10, the Delhi High Court had questioned the Central Government for not taking timely action on the crisis arising out of the cancellation of IndiGo flights.
The High Court had questioned why such a situation had arisen due to which many IndiGo flights had to be cancelled. The court was hearing a PIL seeking direction to the Center to provide assistance to passengers affected by the cancellation of hundreds of flights by IndiGo and refund the amount paid. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi on Monday took note of petitioner Narendra Mishra’s plea that the petition should be heard in the Supreme Court. The bench said that another similar PIL is already pending before the High Court.
The bench asked Mishra to approach the High Court and granted him the liberty to approach the Supreme Court again if his grievances are not resolved. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for IndiGo, argued that the DGCA has constituted an expert committee to investigate the cancellation of flights and the problems faced by passengers due to it. The bench said, “It is pointed out that a petition is pending before the Delhi High Court. It is also pointed out that the DGCA has constituted an expert committee on December 5…All the issues raised herein are pending before the Delhi High Court. The petitioner is permitted to attend the proceedings in the Delhi High Court.”
The top court said, “We request the Delhi High Court to allow the petitioner to intervene in the matter pending before it and present all the arguments.” If all the complaints are not resolved, the petitioner or any other person in public interest can also approach this court.” Mishra said that passengers are being troubled due to the cancellation of flights. The Chief Justice initially said, “This is a matter of grave concern for the general public… but the High Court is considering it.” The High Court is also a constitutional court. If your complaints are not resolved, you can come here.
Earlier, the bench had refused to give urgent hearing to the plea seeking judicial intervention in the matter. He had said that the Central Government has taken cognizance of the situation and has taken steps to resolve it. IndiGo is facing criticism from the government and passengers for canceling hundreds of flights citing changes in pilots’ flying duties and regulatory standards.
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