M.C. MEHTA versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.
Supreme Court ordered phased banning of all commercial/transport vehicles in Delhi based on their age to reduce vehicular pollution, with specific deadlines for vehicles over 20, 17–19, and 15–16 years, and immediate ban for vehicles without registration or unpaid road tax.
- Parties
- Petitioner: M.C. Mehta; Respondents: Union of India and Ors.
- Jurisdiction
- India
- Judgment Date
- 22 September 1998
- Procedural Posture
- Writ Petition (civil) / Interlocutory Order
- Outcome
- Order partly modified and directions issued
- Legal Topics
- Air Pollution, Vehicular Pollution, Phasing Out and Banning Old Commercial/transport Vehicles
Case Brief
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
More case intelligence is available
Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.
Parties
M.C. Mehta
Petitioner
Union of India and Ors.
Respondents
Procedural Posture
Writ Petition (civil) / Interlocutory Order
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether commercial/transport vehicles exceeding specified age limits should be banned from plying in Delhi to mitigate vehicular pollution
- 2 Whether vehicles without registration or road tax payment should be permitted to ply
Ratio Decidendi
Supreme Court ordered phased banning of all commercial/transport vehicles in Delhi based on their age to reduce vehicular pollution, with specific deadlines for vehicles over 20, 17–19, and 15–16 years, and immediate ban for vehicles without registration or unpaid road tax.
Court Disposition
Order partly modified and directions issued
Orders
- Commercial/transport vehicles more than 20 years old (9,349) not permitted to ply in Delhi after 2nd October, 1998
- Commercial/transport vehicles 17–19 years old (3,200) not permitted to ply after 15th November, 1998
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
Sign in to read
Sign in to read the full judgment text
Sign in to read the full judgment text. Downloads and additional research tools may depend on your plan.
Sign in to read the full judgment