Refuelling End-of-Life Vehicles: Delhi HC Issues Notice on Petrol Pumps’ Plea Against Fines
The Delhi High Court has recently sought the Delhi Government's response in a plea moved by the Petrol Dealers Association challenging the imposition of penalties on petrol pump owners for supplying fuel to End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs).
A bench led by Justice Mini Pushkarna issued notice to the Delhi Government and observed, "In case any members of the petitioners’ association are penalised in terms of the aforesaid Direction No. 89 dated April 23, 2025, liberty is granted to the petitioners to bring the said fact to the notice of this Court."
For context, the Delhi Government, in June 2025, introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) dated June 17, prohibiting fuel supply to ELVs, which refer to vehicles older than 15 years (for petrol) or 10 years (for diesel) in cities like Delhi, as per environmental regulations.
The said regulation came into effect on July 1, mandating that all fuel stations in Delhi deny refuelling to ELVs. Further, all such denials are required to be logged and reported weekly to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
However, the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association filed a petition before the High Court challenging the penalties imposed on petrol pump owners for refuelling ELVs.
While supporting the objective of the ELV directive, the petitioners have challenged the order dated May 13, 2025, issued under Direction No. 89, which makes petrol pump owners criminally liable under Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, for supplying fuel to End-of-Life Vehicles.
The plea contends that the rule burdens petrol pump owners and their attendants with the additional responsibility of enforcing the directive, despite not being equipped or legally authorised to do so.
It further argues that the impugned orders are arbitrary, irrational, unreasonable, and disproportionate, as they seek to penalise petrol pump owners for actions that may occur inadvertently or due to circumstances beyond their control.
The matter will next be heard on September 8, 2025.
Case Title:Delhi Petrol Dealers Association & Anr. v. Government of NCT of Delhi & Anr.
Read order here: