$~94 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010455592026 + W.P.(C) 14017/2026 AMI SISODIA .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Vikram Dabas, Mr. Monesh Kr. Sharma, Mr. S. Trivedi, Ms. I. Chhabra, Advs. versus GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Sameer Vashisht, SC (Civil), GNCTD with Ms. Harshita Nathrani, Adv. for R-1, 2 and 4 Mrs. Avnish Ahlawat, SC with Mrs. Tania Ahlawat, Mr. Nitesh Kr. Singh, Ms. Aliza Alam, Mr. Mohnish Sehrawat, Advs. for R-3 CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TEJAS KARIA O R D E R % 23.09.2026 1. Issue notice. 2. On behalf of respondent nos.1, 2 and 4, Mr. Sameer Vashisht, learned Standing Counsel has put in appearance and accepts notice, whereas, Mrs. Avnish Ahlawat, learned Standing Counsel has put in appearance and accepts notice on behalf of respondent no.3. 3. This public interest litigation raises grave concerns about non-plying of the buses by Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) as a result of which lakhs of commuters are suffering. 4. It has been stated by learned counsel for the petitioner that travel by DTC buses in Delhi is the cheapest mode of travel and non-plying of these buses impacts the lower sections of the society the most. This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 25/09/2026 at 12:18:52 5. Mrs. Avnish Ahlawat, learned Standing Counsel on instruction has stated that the situation as on today has improved and 96% of the buses in the fleet of DTC buses are plying on the road. 6. Since the situation is improving, we do not intend to pass any direction, however, we hope and expect that all possible measures shall be taken both by the State Government as also by the DTC to ensure that the entire fleet of the DTC buses in Delhi, is on road providing the services to the commuters. 7. We have been informed by Mrs. Ahlawat, learned Standing Counsel representing the DTC, that a proposal has already been sent by the DTC to the State Government for invoking the provisions of Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1968 on 16-17.09.2026. 8. We, thus, expect that the State Government shall review the situation and take appropriate action, which may be warranted under law to ensure that plying of DTC buses is maintained on the roads. 9. In case the situation does not improve in a week’s time, it will be open to the petitioner to approach the Court again. 10. The writ petition stands disposed of with the aforesaid observations and directions. DEVENDRA KUMAR UPADHYAYA, CJ TEJAS KARIA, J SEPTEMBER 23, 2026/j This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 25/09/2026 at 12:18:52