- By Akansha Pandey
- Wed, 10 Dec 2025 02:08 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
The Delhi High Court heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on Wednesday, demanding refunds and ground support for passengers affected by the ongoing IndiGo flight crisis. The following details the court's inquiries, the Central Government's response, and the observations made during the hearing.
The Court’s Inquiries And Concerns
The High Court questioned the Central Government on several critical points regarding the cause of the crisis and the subsequent fallout:
Accountability: The Bench asked why this situation arose, who is responsible for it, and noted that the crisis impacts both the economy and the passengers.
Compensation: The court inquired if any steps have been taken to compensate the affected individuals.
Price Surging: The court observed that while the government claimed to cap fares, this action was taken only after five days. In the interim, ticket prices surged from 5,000 to between 30,000 and 35,000.
Profiteering: The Bench questioned why other airlines were permitted to take advantage of the emergency situation.
Regulatory Action: Regarding the FTTL scheme, which has been pending since 2024 with multiple deadline extensions, the court asked what action the government took when the airline failed to comply.
The Central Government’s Submissions
ASG Chetan Sharma, representing the Central Government, submitted documents regarding the steps taken and provided the following explanations:
Fare Caps: The government stated that fares have been capped and this measure is being strictly enforced.
Show-Cause Notice: It was submitted that a show-cause notice had been issued to the airline, and the airline has since apologised.
Jurisdiction: Regarding a deadline of November 1, set by a Single Bench which the airline failed to meet, the ASG stated that this specific failure was not related to the Ministry.
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Court’s Observations In The Final Order
While dictating the order, the High Court made strong observations regarding the current state of affairs:
Ongoing Disruptions: The court noted that disruptions are continuing, with passengers still being denied boarding and left stranded at various airports across the country.
Staff Conduct: The court highlighted reports that the airline's staff are failing to adequately address passenger concerns.
Breach of Duty: The Bench emphasised that addressing these concerns is not only a statutory requirement but a basic expectation in any civilised society.
