File photo of auto rickshaws on the streets of New Delhi.
The Delhi High Court today refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to release e-rickshaws, which have been seized, to enable them to comply with the requirements under the amended Motor Vehicle Rules.
A bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul observed that it had not directed that the vehicles be seized and the remedy should be sought before the "appropriate forum".
"We have disposed of the matter. We have nothing to do in this. There is nothing left. If any member is aggrieved, he will come. We have never directed that vehicles be seized. If you get an adverse order come to court.
"We are not inclined to pass any order as the matter has been disposed of. If the petitioners are aggrieved they are directed to seek their grievance redressal as per law and before appropriate forum. The petition is dismissed as withdrawn," the court said.
The application said that in view of the amended rules, e-rickshaws and e-carts were required to comply with the various prescribed requirements including registration and obtaining licenses etc.
"In view of the amended Rules, for the purposes of registering e-rickshaws/e-carts, the vehicles have to be released for presentation before authorities for the purposes of complying with the requirements under the amended rules," it said.
"Direct that e-rickshaws which have been seized be released to enable them to comply with the requirements under Motor Vehicle Rules," the plea, filed through advocates Balendu Shekhar and SN Parashar, said.
The high court had on September 9 held that its ban on plying of e-rickshaws in the national capital will continue as they are illegal as per existing laws.
Observing that "what is prohibited under the law cannot be permitted", the court had directed the Delhi government and the authorities concerned to act in conformity with the laws and "prevent the plying of unregistered e-rickshaws."
It had left it to the Parliament and the Centre to decide what legislative changes are need to be introduced to regulate the plying of e-rickshaws.