Delhi petrol dealers move High Court against prosecution for refuelling old vehicles. They argue the government unfairly burdens pump owners under ELV fuel ban rules.
New Delhi: Today, on July 3, the Delhi High Court has recently issued a notice to the Delhi government after the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association filed a petition challenging the decision to prosecute petrol pump owners for refuelling End of Life Vehicles (ELVs).
The case was heard by Justice Mini Pushkarna, who passed the order on July 2, 2025.
The association has raised concerns over the recent policy implemented by the Delhi government, which prohibits fuel stations from supplying fuel to diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years.
The aim of this policy, according to the government, is to tackle the issue of increasing vehicular pollution in the capital. However, the petrol pump owners have objected to the way the policy is being enforced.
In her order, Justice Mini Pushkarna remarked,
“if any pump owner is penalised for the act, the same can be brought to the notice of the Court.”
The court has fixed the next hearing of the matter for September 8, 2025.
The Delhi Petrol Dealers Association, through its petition, stated that they are not against the rule of restricting fuel supply to ELVs. They are ready to cooperate with the authorities.
However, they oppose the way responsibilities are being shifted onto them without proper legal authority or training.
They argued that the government has made the pump owners and their workers responsible for identifying and stopping ELVs, even though they are not equipped or trained for the same.
In their plea, the dealers are seeking the cancellation of the Delhi government’s order and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that hold them accountable.
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They have challenged the action of prosecuting them under Section 192(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, if they refuel an ELV.
The petitioners argued,
“the government has now burdened fuel pump owners and their attendants with the responsibility of implementing the government guidelines without them being necessarily equipped or authorised under any law.”
They further stated,
“while they are not opposed to the directions restricting fuel supply to ELVs, and are willing to extend cooperation, they object to the excessive, irrational and disproportionate liability being fastened upon them by way of seeking to prosecute and penalise them.”
The petition was filed through advocates Anand Varma, Adaysha Nanda, and Apoorva Pandey, who appeared on behalf of the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association.
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On the other hand, the Delhi government was represented by its Standing Counsel Sameer Vashish and advocate Harshita Nathrani.
Case title:
Delhi Petrol Dealers Association & Anr v Government of NCT of Delhi & Anr,
Read Order:
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