The Supreme Court, on Monday, approved a five-year extension for the registration of three specialized armoured diesel vehicles used by the Special Protection Group (SPG). The decision came after Justices Abhay S Oka and Manmohan reviewed a plea from the SPG, which contested a prior ruling by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that denied the extension due to the vehicles being over a decade old.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta emphasized the critical role these vehicles play in the technical logistics of the SPG, arguing for their indispensable use in ensuring the security of the Prime Minister. The NGT had earlier, on March 22, rejected the extension, adhering to environmental standards that restrict diesel vehicles from operating in the National Capital Region (NCR) after ten years due to pollution concerns.
The Supreme Court’s ruling overrides the NGT’s decision, taking into account the unique requirements of the SPG and the limited use of these vehicles over the last decade. The court acknowledged the specialized nature of these vehicles and the vital security functions they serve. This decision comes despite the apex court’s own 2018 order, which reinforced a 2015 NGT directive banning diesel vehicles older than 10 years in the Delhi-NCR to combat air pollution.
