The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday directed German automobile maker Volkswagen to submit an undertaking by January 11 that it will not sell any vehicles in India that are fitted with the “cheat/ defeat device”.
The cheat or defeat device is a software installed in diesel engines for manipulating emissions tests by changing the performance of the vehicles to improve results.
A bench headed by Justice UD Salvi said, “We do see gravity of the matter. You should not sell cars with defeat device and cars which are not compliant.”
The tribunal also directed Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to place its investigation report by February 4, which has been fixed as the next date of hearing.
Senior advocate Pinaki Misra, arguing on behalf of Volkswagen, told the green tribunal that there were no such devices in its vehicles and ARAI was already investigating the matter and outcome is awaited.
“The whole argument is based on the fact that something which happened in United States. We are manufacturing different vehicles here. The cars which we sell in India comply with all emission norms. let ARAI complete its job,” contended Misra.
He further said that investigation over “cheat device” was going on even in US and EU and the company has yet not been directed to pay any compensation in this regard.
Earlier, the NGT on December 14, 2015, had sought a response from the central Government besides issuing notices to the heavy industries and public enterprises ministry, the Volkswagen group, the Central Pollution Control Board and the ARAI.
This was in the wake of a plea filed by Delhi residents Satvinder Singh Sodhi and others, alleging that the company was polluting environment by selling vehicles, which breach emission limits.