No registration of BS-IV vehicles till SC orders

The Supreme Court Friday directed that no BS-IV vehicles would be registered by the authorities till it decides the issue of sale of such vehicles during the COVID-19 induced lockdown period in March. "We direct all the authorities not to register any BS-IV vehicles till we decide this," a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said during the hearing conducted through video-conferencing.

The top court was earlier irked over the violation of its order and had pulled up automobile dealers association by saying that more BS-IV vehicles were sold during the COVID-19 induced lockdown period in last week of March and after March 31 also.

The apex court had on July 8 recalled its March 27 order by which it had allowed sale of BS-IV vehicles for 10 days across India, except in Delhi-national capital region (NCR), after lifting of the lockdown.

During the hearing on Friday, the apex court asked the automobile dealers association to explain in detail how many transactions have taken place till March 31 during the lockdown period with regard to either online or direct sale of BS-IV vehicles.

"You are in great trouble. We will prosecute somebody," the bench told the counsel appearing for dealers association.

"We will take appropriate action against these fellows," the apex court said while referring to the surge in number of BS-IV vehicles sold especially on March 29, 30 and 31.

The bench said it has perused the affidavit filed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which has flagged the issue of verification regarding around 39,000 such vehicles.