Supreme Court Declines Urgent Intervention in IndiGo Crisis, CJI Backs Govt Action

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court has refused to grant urgent relief in the ongoing IndiGo crisis, leaving passengers without immediate legal intervention. CJI Surya Kant stated that although the court is aware of the worsening situation affecting lakhs of travellers, the government is already dealing with the issue and should be allowed to continue handling it.

The petition filed in court noted that more than 2,500 flights have been delayed and 95 airports are affected, amounting to a violation of citizens’ right to life under Article 21.

IndiGo’s problems have persisted for a week, with delays and cancellations continuing daily. On Monday, the disruption grew worse: over 250 flights were cancelled from Delhi and Bengaluru alone. Delhi saw 134 cancellations, while Bengaluru recorded 127. The petitioner had even approached the CJI at his residence seeking urgent hearing and passenger compensation, but the court chose not to step into administrative matters.

In parallel, the DGCA has tightened its oversight on the airline. It has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo’s CEO Pieter Elbers and accountable manager Isidro Porqueras over alleged mismanagement of pilot duty schedules under new FDTL rules. They must respond by 6 PM today, failing which strict action may be taken.

Passengers continue to wait at airports nationwide as the airline faces shortages of pilots and rostering issues.