The Supreme Court today directed the Centre to place on record, within two weeks, the rules framed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, a legislation intended to modernise the country’s civil aviation framework. Hearing a PIL, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta asked the Centre to submit the rules before the court in a sealed cover, regardless of whether they have been laid before Parliament. The counsel appearing for the Centre informed the bench that the draft rules are ready and they are in the process of translation. The counsel said the rules have to be placed before Parliament. The top court posted the matter for further hearing on August 3. The order of the top court came on the PIL seeking a robust and independent regulator that ensures transparency and passenger protection across the civil aviation sector. The plea also sought regulatory guidelines to control the unpredictable fluctuations in airfare and ancillary charges imposed by private airlines in India.

Earlier, the Centre had told the apex court that the Ministry of Civil Aviation was actively considering the issues raised in the plea.