Supreme Court refuses to entertain plea seeking 'one person one car' policy

The Supreme Court of India on Friday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking formulation of guidelines to control number of vehicles on roads including introduction of a 'one person one car' policy [Tsunami on Roads vs Union of India and ors]. .A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha said that the prayers raised in the petition fell squarely within the domain of executive."The issues which are raised in the petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India in the present case pertain to the policy domain. Hence, we are not inclined to entertain the petition. The petitioners are at at liberty to pursue their grievances before the authorities in accordance with law," the Court ordered.The petitioner, an NGO by the name Tsunami on Roads, told the Court that around 1.5 crore cars were sold in the country in 2022.The Court said it was not casting doubt on the bonafides of the petitioner. It explained that the issue was a matter of policy within a domain of the government and that the Court could not intervene. "We are not doubting your bonafide. But these are matters of policy. We cannot intervene in every areas of governance, issues of policy," the Court said..The PIL sought directions to the Central government to ensure the following: Effective income tax regulation on sale of personal cars in order to prevent misuse of tax regulations, by making mandatory a copy of last tax return, and withdrawal of tax benefits for second car for companies and professionals;Only one personal car per person; a second car should be allowed only after imposing environment cess;Initiate an effective national program against air pollution to get special attention, priority and better coordination amongst States and Centre with better utilisation of budgets;Release advisories for vulnerable classes like pregnant ladies as to how they can 'safeguard' themselves from air pollution..[Read order]