In a packed courtroom on Wednesday, the Delhi High Court delivered some unusually sharp questions to the Union government while hearing a PIL on the massive flight cancellations that left lakhs of passengers stranded across airports. The atmosphere felt tense at moments, almost like the judges were trying to hold back impatience. As the hearing progressed, it became clear that the bench wasn't buying vague answers anymore.
Background
The PIL, filed by advocate Akhil Rana, sought an independent judicial probe into what has come to be known as the “Indigo crisis.” The petitioner argued that the scale of cancellations, sudden fare spikes, and lack of preparedness by the authorities called for direct judicial scrutiny.
But before the government could detail its corrective steps, the court turned towards the petitioner himself, questioning the lack of groundwork behind the PIL. The Chief Justice almost sighed at one point, remarking, “You are not fully aware but you filed a PIL here… This is not a merry-go-round.”
Despite this initial friction, the judges made it clear the matter touched public interest at a very large scale and could not be treated lightly.
Court’s Observations
Once the Centre began its submissions, the bench quickly shifted gears and demanded clarity on why the situation spiralled out of control at all.
At one point, the Chief Justice asked bluntly, “Are you helpless? What action could you take against airlines failing to follow your directions?”
The government explained that the DGCA had been issuing advisories and that a high-level inquiry committee was already reviewing the sequence of events. But the bench didn’t seem convinced. “These steps were taken after the crisis erupted,” the CJ said, almost tapping the desk in emphasis. “The question is why the situation arose in the first place.”
DGCA’s counsel attempted to walk the court through the years-long debate on Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), saying the regulations were meant to ensure pilot rest and passenger safety. But his statement that some pilots were operating “five to six landings instead of two” caused visible concern in the courtroom. Justice Gedela leaned forward and asked, “This means safety was compromised, isn’t it?”
The judges also expressed strong disapproval over skyrocketing flight fares during the crisis period, noting that a ₹5,000 ticket had suddenly been sold for ₹30,000–₹39,000. The bench observed, “How can airlines be permitted to take advantage during a crisis? How can such fares be justified?”
Indigo’s senior counsel attempted to soften the damage, arguing that multiple factors-technical issues, staff shortage, and sudden implementation timelines—combined to create the disruption. He also requested the court not to draw premature conclusions before the committee report is submitted.
But the bench made its stance firm: “For compensation, you have to immediately start it. Let’s make it very clear.”
Decision
In its order, the High Court acknowledged the steps taken by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA but stressed that allowing lakhs of passengers to remain stranded “affects not only individuals but also the economy.” The bench directed that compensation provisions must be strictly followed by Indigo, and it asked the Centre and DGCA to ensure compliance without exception.
The matter will next be heard on January 22, 2026, with the court expecting the inquiry report in a sealed cover.
Case Title: Akhil Rana & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors.
Case No.: Not specified in the order excerpt
Case Type: Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
Decision Date: 11 December 2024 (order discussed during the hearing)
