Supreme Court orders 'golden hour' relief scheme to start within one week

This matter concerns a Public Interest Litigation regarding road safety and motor vehicle claims, where the Court addressed the non-implementation of schemes for 'golden hour' relief and interim relief for claimants under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Who it concerns: Petitioner: S. Rajaseekaran; Respondents: Union of India and others; Bench: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Abhay S. Oka and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan.

What the court decided

• The Court noted that the scheme for 'golden hour' under Section 162(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act will be brought into force within one week.
• The notified scheme for 'golden hour' must be placed on record by 9th May 2025, with the matter listed for compliance on 13th May 2025.
• The Court directed the Central Government to frame a scheme under Section 164A of the Motor Vehicles Act for interim relief to claimants within four months.
• The Court directed the Registry to forward the application in IA No. 278218/2024 to the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety headed by Hon'ble Mr. Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre for necessary action.
• The Amicus Curiae was directed to provide copies of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to State counsel for hearing on implementation.

Also in the document

• The Government tendered an apology for non-compliance with previous directions dated 8th January 2025.
• The Court deprecated the failure to implement Section 164A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which has remained unimplemented for three years since coming into force on 1st April 2022.
• IA No. 68786/2025 filed by the General Insurance Council was dismissed as withdrawn after the Council stated it would not create road blocks for the scheme's implementation.