Today, the Delhi High Court refused to hear a petition challenging the “Burnout City India” event scheduled to be held at the NSIC Exhibition Ground on January 17, over concerns that it would worsen air pollution.

The event is described as an automotive and lifestyle festival featuring vehicle displays, drift and stunt zones, along with music performances.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said the petition was based on assumptions and did not provide any scientific data to support the claims. The Court noted that it could not act on speculation alone.

The petitioner argued that the event would violate GRAP norms and lead to higher air and noise pollution, especially due to increased use of petrol and diesel by modified and high-performance vehicles. It was claimed that stunts and racing activities could raise particulate matter levels, particularly PM2.5 and PM10, in the area.

However, the Court repeatedly asked whether there was any scientific material or authentic data to back these claims. When the petitioner conceded that no such data had been placed on record, the Chief Justice remarked that the plea appeared to be speculative.

The Court also questioned whether the event had received permission from any authority. While the petitioner said no permission was visible in the public domain, counsel for the Delhi Pollution Control Board submitted that the Board had not granted any clearance and that the responsibility may lie with the local municipal body or the land-owning authority.

The Bench observed that if the event were to violate GRAP norms, the appropriate authority to approach would be the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which the petitioner had not done.

Stating that courts cannot intervene based only on assumptions about fuel consumption or pollution levels, the Court suggested that such concerns be raised before the District Magistrate. Noting that the petitioner had already made representations to various authorities, including the DM, the Court disposed of the plea.

The public interest litigation was filed by advocate Hemant Jain and another individual.

Case Title: Hemant Jain & Anr v. Union of India & Ors