Overview
- A bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran ruled that mandating six airbags is a policy decision reserved for the executive branch.
- The petitioner argued that the absence of a six-airbag requirement violated equality before the law and the right to life under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
- The court noted the petitioner had submitted a representation to the government on May 17 and reiterated that any fresh or existing petition would be assessed on its own merits.
- The bench declined to entertain the writ petition, stating that framing safety regulations falls outside the judiciary’s remit.
- The decision highlights the judiciary’s deference to executive authority in setting vehicle safety standards and leaves future airbag mandates to government regulation.