India, Dec. 18 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday ended protections granted to end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) that are not compliant with BS-IV or higher emission standards in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), modifying an earlier order that barred coercive action against such vehicles.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, passed the order on a recommendation made by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) seeking a modification to the court's August 12 order on the grounds that the older vehicles have poorer emissions standards and were adding to the region's pollution load.

The bench, also comprising justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, said, "The August 12, 2025 order is modified to the ...