DGCA has to play a role of impartial regulator: Delhi High Court

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today rebuked aviation regulator DGCA for not filing its response on an Irish aircraft leasing firm's plea seeking de-registration of a plane given by it to troubled SpiceJet for alleged non-payment of dues.

"DGCA has to play a role of impartial regulator. The regulator despite being told to file their response chose not to file it. Why DGCA is doing so, god only knows," a bench of Justice Rajiv Shakdher said.

The observations came on the plea of Dublin-based Wilmington Trust SP Services Ltd which had sought cancellation of the registration of one aircraft leased by it to SpiceJet on grounds of alleged non-payment of dues.

The hearing in the case remained inconclusive and would resume on February 26 when Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain would advance his arguments.

DGCA had told the High Court that the company has already made a representation to the aviation regulator and it was pending.

In December last year, another firm - B&B Air Acquisition and Leasing Ltd - had moved the high court seeking directions to DGCA to cancel the registration of aircraft stated to have been leased by it to Spicejet.

The court, however, had disposed of the plea by asking DGCA to expeditiously decide on the application of the firm.

B&B Air, thereafter, filed an appeal against the December 2014 decision of the single judge. The appeal is pending before a division bench.