BHARAT PETROLEUM CORPN. LTD. vs SUNIL BANSAL .

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the notification GSR 686 (E) dated 20th October 2004, which inserted sub-rule (14) in Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, mandating Bharat Stage-III emission standards for four-wheeled vehicles manufactured after 1st April 2005. The Court emphasized the necessity of stringent measures to combat vehicular pollution, referencing its earlier decision in M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1998) 6 SCC 63, which highlighted the urgent need for environmental protection. The Court concluded that the notification was a lawful exercise of power aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, thereby dismissing the appeal of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.