The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea seeking a mandate for the installation of six airbags in all passenger vehicles, holding that the issue falls squarely within the executive’s policy domain.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran said it was not inclined to entertain the petition, advising the petitioner to approach the government with the demand.
“The prayers made in the writ petition are exclusively within the domain of policy to be framed by the executive. We are, therefore, not inclined to entertain the present petition,” the court observed.
The petitioner informed the bench that he had already submitted a representation to the central government on May 17. The bench responded that if such a representation has been made, it would be considered “on its own merits” by the competent authority.
The plea had urged the court to declare the failure to mandate six airbags in passenger cars as a violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law, while Article 21 protects the right to life and personal liberty.
The petitioner also sought directions to the authorities to enhance vehicular safety standards to reduce fatalities and injuries in road accidents.
