BS4 Vehicle Registration Barred By Supreme Court

Unused BS4 Honda 2-wheelers Featured Image — BS4 vehicle registration will not happen until the Supreme Court allows it to happen

The Supreme Court (SC) has barred the registration of BS4-compliant vehicles sold during the lockdown period by automobile dealers, until it makes a decision on the issue.

A bench headed by Justices Arun Mishra, B R Gavai and Krishna Murari heard the case today and apart from barring BS4 vehicle registration of the vehicles in question, also expressed its displeasure over the huge number of vehicles sold during the lockdown, especially between 29th and 31st March.

Earlier this month, the apex court had recalled its 27th March order by which it had permitted the sale of BS4 vehicles for 10 days across the nation (after lockdown 1.0 was lifted), except in Delhi-NCR.

Auto dealers had sold over 2.55 lakh BS4 vehicles during the 10-day time frame, while the allowed number was only 1.05 lakh vehicles and the SC was not pleased.

In today’s hearing, which was brief, the bench asked the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) to place before it the details of vehicles sold in the last week of March. It wanted to verify details of BS4 vehicle registration.

Also, the counsel appearing for FADA was told that they are “in great trouble” and that the bench will “prosecute somebody”.

Referring to the surge in the number of vehicles sold in the last three days of March, the SC said “We will take appropriate action against these fellows”. Next hearing of the matter will take place on 13th August.

It all started when the FADA approached SC for extending the deadline for BS4 vehicle registration till 31st May. The plea was rejected, but the 10-day period was granted, which led to the opening of a can of worms.