Supreme Court junks petition that sought 6 airbags to be made mandatory in cars

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on July 24 dismissed a petition seeking the mandatory installation of six airbags in passenger vehicles. The court held that this issue falls entirely under the domain of government policy, and that it is not a matter for judicial intervention.

The bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran advised the petitioner to present their concerns directly to the government.

This ruling underscored the ongoing debate about vehicle safety in India, particularly as the automotive industry evolves. While many advocate for enhanced safety measures, the court's stance reflects a clear distinction between judicial oversight and policy-making functions.


The SC ruling comes a day after Maruti, India's largest auto company, announced a price hike (0.8%) of the XL6 model, informing stock exchanges that the hike was a result of introducing 6 Airbags.

The petitioner had previously submitted a representation to the government on May 17, suggesting that the lack of mandatory airbags infringes upon constitutional rights.

Specifically, the plea argued that the absence of such safety measures violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, which pertain to equality before the law and the protection of life and personal liberty, respectively.

The Supreme Court's decision emphasised that the matter of vehicle safety standards is best addressed by the executive branch of the government.

The bench noted that if the petitioner’s representation has already been made, it would be evaluated on its own merits.