SC dismisses Skoda Volkswagen’s plea challenging FIR for ‘use of cheat device’ in car
Judiciary

SC dismisses Skoda Volkswagen’s plea challenging FIR for ‘use of cheat device’ in car

The FIR was lodged in UP after a customer accused the carmaker of allegedly using a 'cheat' or 'defeat device', which is installed to manipulate pollution emission tests in vehicles.

   

Logo of Czech automobile manufacturer Škoda | Pixabay

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Thursday dismissed a plea by German car maker Skoda Auto Volkswagen India challenging an FIR registered in Uttar Pradesh by a customer over the alleged use of cheat device in its diesel car.

A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian pronounced the verdict and dismissed the plea by the automobile maker.

A ‘cheat’ or ‘defeat device’ is a software installed in auto engines to manipulate pollution emission tests. Volkswagen was accused of the malpractice globally a few years ago.

On November 4, the top court had reserved the verdict on the plea saying as to why should not the investigation go on in the case.

During the hearing the automobile maker argued that in December, 2015 the complaint was made in the National Green Tribunal and in March, 2019 a penalty was imposed on it which was stayed by the apex court.

The FIR was also lodged in UP and the company moved the high court seeking its quashing, it said.

The apex court passed the order on the appeal filed by Skoda against the Allahabad High Court order refusing to quash the FIR and dismissing its plea.


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