PIL In Delhi High Court Seeks Compensation Over Indigo Ticket Cancellations, Judicial Enquiry Against DGCA

A PIL has been filed before the Delhi High Court seeking “four times” compensation of tickets recently cancelled by Indigo airlines and a judicial enquiry against Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for alleged lapses.

The matter will be heard tomorrow by a division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela.

The plea has been filed by Centre for Accountability and Systematic Change CASC.

It has been alleged that due to fault and lapses of Indigo and non-enforcement of regulatory compliances by DGCA, vulnerability of aviation sector is exposed which may hamper the growth of “Viksit Bharat.”

The plea states that no penal action is taken against “big flyers like Indigo”, which is giving “an impression of VIP syndrome.”

It adds that instead of taking remedial, penal action and giving appropriate compensation as per the existing laws, the matter is being diverted in the name of enquiry and emphasis on need for new laws.

The plea seeks initiation of a class action suit against Indigo for the suffering and damages of the passengers during the crisis.

On December 10, the Court had issued notice on a PIL seeking independent judicial investigation into the Indigo crisis and large scale flight cancellations.

The court had also directed that provisions for payment of compensation to stranded passengers will be "strictly adhered to by Indigo" which shall be "ensured by Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA as well".

Title: CENTRE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND SYSTEMIC CHANGE (CASC) v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS