SC recalls order allowing sale of BS IV vehicles post lockdown

The Supreme Court has reversed its 27 March order which allowed sale of BS-IV compliant vehicles after the end of lockdown. The apex court came down heavily on the Federation of Automobile Dealers’ Association of India (FADA) for selling more BS-IV vehicles than allowed by the court. The court held that its order will protect only those vehicles whose details have been correctly uploaded on the eVAHAN portal, noting that data of more than 17 thousand sold vehicles wasn’t available on the portal.

 The top court observed that it can’t allow violation of spirit of its order by allowing sale even after the end of lockdown. Court also ordered that claims made by 4 states be verified if they are registered on e-VAHAN portal or not.

FADA contended they sought registration of vehicles sold before March 31. They had submitted that on March 31, their member dealers had sold 94,000 BSIV vehicles and non-members had sold over 1.3 lakh BS-IV vehicles, although the top court had allowed sale of only 1.09 lakh vehicles. On March 27, SC allowed sale of unsold BS-IV inventory for 10 days post end of lockdown, provided they get registered within 10 days of sale. The interim order was passed in view of FADA citing Force Majeure.