New Delhi

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a PIL seeking four times compensation for passengers affected by IndiGo flight cancellations in November and December following the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules.

A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela advised the petitioner to intervene in a pending PIL on the same issue instead of filing a separate plea. “We decline to entertain this petition with liberty to seek intervention in the pending petition,” the court said.

The plea, filed by the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC), highlighted the severe disruption faced by over 12.5 lakh passengers due to more than 5,000 cancelled flights, citing baggage mishandling, delays, and refund confusion. It also sought an enquiry by a retired judge or the Lokpal to examine DGCA’s role in the crisis.

Advocate Virag Gupta pressed for higher compensation and class-action measures under the Consumer Protection Act. The court noted that PILs should not be used to score “brownie points” and pointed out that relief could be sought through intervention in the ongoing petition.

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IndiGo had cancelled hundreds of flights since early December due to reduced pilot availability under the new FDTL rules, prompting government and passenger criticism.