SC puts a stay on all petitions challenging creation of new segment of quadricycles

The Supreme Court (SC) has agreed to transfer to itself all cases relating to the government's notification to introduce quadricycles, and also put a stay on all petitions against the proposed launch. Eight writ petitions had been filed in high courts of Karnataka, Gujarat and New Delhi, challenging the creation of a new segment of quadricycles and subsequent proposed introduction of the vehicle on Indian roads.

The SC, in an order dated February 27, passed an order issuing notice on the transfer petition and staying all the writ petitions until further orders. This was done after the Center moved the apex court seeking to transfer all the cases.

The writ petitions were filed by individuals, auto driver union members and lawyers across the courts.

Some Tier 1 auto component manufacturers who had invested in plant and machinery for manufacture and supply of components for the quadricycles, on the basis of the enactment of the Government notification on the vehicle, approached the Supreme Court. They parties also filed Special Leave Petitions against the stay orders of High Courts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and Madras High Court.

Interestingly none of the petitioners, who have filed the writ petitions challenging the introduction of quadricycles, had filed any objection earlier when the draft notification was issued for amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be thereby affected.