BS IV cars and bikes that were sold before March 31, but could not be registered as a result of the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic can now be registered, the Supreme Court has ruled, following an affidavit filed by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA).

Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) reports that a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra confirmed that all registrations on the government’s e-Vahan portal – including temporary registrations – will be allowed. However, this relaxation will not be applicable to vehicles sold in Delhi-NCR.

The advocate representing FADA, KVViswanathan, was quoted as saying, “We will comply with whatever the court says. But I urge you to dispel any thoughts that there was any wrongdoing or misuse of the lockdown period.”

However, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati – who represented the Central Government at the hearing – said that details of 39,000 vehicles were not uploaded on the e-portal as yet. She added, “Other than that, the rest has been traced and the details are available on the e-Vahan portal.”

This judgment should come as a relief to FADA, especially after the apex court had recalled its March 27 order that allowed the sale of BS IV vehicles for 10 days across India – except in Delhi-NCR – after the lifting of Covid-19-induced lockdowns, on July 10.