The Delhi High Court has declined to entertain a new Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought to secure increased compensation for passengers affected by the ongoing IndiGo flight crisis. The court indicated that the matter is already under its consideration in a separate, similar petition.
Court's Decision and Reasoning
A bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela presided over the hearing. The bench explicitly stated that it has already taken cognisance of the issue in another public interest litigation. Consequently, the court refused to admit the fresh PIL for a hearing on its own merits.
Instead, the judges granted liberty to the petitioner to seek intervention in the pending petition. This legal move allows the individual or group behind the rejected PIL to formally apply to become a party to the existing case, thereby presenting their arguments and concerns within that framework.
Background of the IndiGo Flight Crisis
The PIL was filed in the context of widespread disruptions and cancellations faced by IndiGo Airlines passengers. Travelers have reported significant inconveniences, including last-minute flight cancellations, long delays, and inadequate communication from the airline, leading to demands for better compensation and accountability.
The existing petition, which the court referenced, likely addresses broader systemic issues related to passenger rights, airline operational reliability, and the adequacy of current compensation norms mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Implications and Next Steps
By consolidating the matter into a single pending petition, the Delhi High Court aims to avoid multiple proceedings on the same subject. This approach is intended to streamline the judicial process and deliver a comprehensive ruling that could set a precedent for how similar airline passenger grievances are handled in the future.
The court's decision underscores the importance of the existing litigation. All eyes will now be on the progress of the original PIL, where the petitioner from the rejected case can now seek to intervene. The outcome could have significant ramifications for passenger compensation policies and airline operations across India's aviation sector.
The order was pronounced on 17 December 2025. The development highlights the ongoing legal and regulatory scrutiny over airline service standards and the mechanisms for passenger redressal in India.
