- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 25TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA WRIT PETITION NO.1625 OF 2026 (MV) C/W WRIT PETITION NO.37833 OF 2025 (MV) WRIT PETITION NO.38320 OF 2025 (MV) WRIT PETITION NO.38374 OF 2025 (MV) WRIT PETITION NO.38402 OF 2025 (MV) WRIT PETITION NO.1584 OF 2026 (MV) WRIT PETITION NO.1594 OF 2026 (MV) IN W.P. NO.1625/2026 BETWEEN: RAVI SURESH MOPGAR S/O SURESH, AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS, R/AT NO.2796, NEAR AMBABHAVANI TEMPLE, KALKERI, SINDAGI TALUK, BIJAPUR DISTRICT-586 118. …PETITIONER (BY SRI SANDESH KUMAR M., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE UNION OF INDIA REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS, NEW DELHI - 110 001. 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY ITS SECRETARY, Digitally signed by MAHALAKSHMI B M Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, VIDHANA SOUDHA, AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001. 3. THE TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER, DEPT. OF TRANSPORT, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU - 560 027. 4. THE NATIONAL INFORMATICS CENTRE, MINISTRY OF ELECTRIC & D.I.T., GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, A BLOCK, CGO COMPLEX, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI - 110 003, REP. BY SENIOR DIRECTOR (IT), LEGAL INFORMATICS DIVISION. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI ARAVIND KAMATH, ASGI FOR SRI MUKUND PRASAD, CGC FOR R-1 & R-4; SRI MANJUNATH RAYAPPA, AGA FOR R-2 & R-3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO QUASHING THE NOTIFICATION BEARING NO.GSR201(E) DATED 05.03.2018 (VIDE ANNEXURE-A) IN SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO SPECIFIES THE DATE 01.10.2020 AS FOUND IN TABLE 1 PERTAINING TO BHARAT STAGE (CEV/CREM) IV VEHICLE ISSUED BY THE FIRST RESPONDENT AND NOTIFICATION NO.GSR850(E) DATED 24.11.2022 (ANNEXURE-B) ISSUED BY FIRST RESPONDENT IN SO FAR IT RELATIONS TO SPECIFIES THE FIGURES 01.01.2023 IN (2) THERE IN AS ARBITRARY, ILLEGAL AND UNJUST SO FOR AS TO PETITIONER IS CONCERNED. IN W.P. NO.37833/2025 BETWEEN: M/S. SHREE SAI SD PRIVATE LIMITED A REGISTERED COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, REGISTERED OFFICE AT NO.82/8, 82/9, B.M. ROAD, HUNSUR, MYSORE DISTRICT, - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS KARNATAKA-571105. REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR MR. DILEEP. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI SIDDHARTH SUMAN, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS, NEW DELHI-110054. 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY ITS SECRETARY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, VIDHANA VEEDHI, BENGALURU-560001. 3. THE TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, SHANTHINGAR, BENGALURU-560027. 4. NATIONAL INFORMATICS CENTRE MINISTRY OF ELECTRONIC AND IT GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, A BLOCK, CGO COMPLEX, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI-110 003 REPRESENTED BY SENIOR DIRECTOR (IT) LEGAL INFORMATICS DIVISION. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI ARAVIND KAMATH, ASGI FOR SRI MUKUND PRASAD, CGC FOR R-1 & R-4; SRI MANJUNATH RAYAPPA, AGA FOR R-2 & R-3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO (A) TO ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR SUCH OTHER APPROPRIATE WIT OR ORDERS OR DIRECTIONS, QUASHING THE NOTIFICATION BEARING - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS NO. G.S.R. 201(E) DATED 05.03.2018 (I.E. ANNEXURE-A) IN SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO/SPECIFIES THE DATE 01.10.2020 AS FOUND IN TABLE 1 PERTAINING TO BHARAT STAGE (CEV/TREM) IV VEHICLES ISSUED BY THE 1 RESPONDENT AND NOTIFICATION NO. G.S.R. 850(E) DATED 24.11.2022 (I.E. ANNEXURE-B) ISSUED BY THE 1 RESPONDENT IN SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO/SPECIFIES THE FIGURES 01.01.2023 IN SUB SECTION 2 THEREIN, AS ARBITRARY, ILLEGAL AND UNJUST. IN W.P. NO.38320/2025 BETWEEN: DANDIN MOTORS A PARTNERSHIP FIRM HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT RENUKA COMPLEX, RAKAMGERA INDUSTRIAL AREA, B.B.ROAD, YADAGIR DISTRICT, SHAHAPUR-585223 REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER MR. CHANDRASHEKHAR DANDIN. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI SIDDHARTH SUMAN, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS, NEW DELHI-110001. 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY ITS SECRETARY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, VIDHANA VEEDHI, BENGALRU-560001. 3. THE TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, SHANTHINGAR, BENGALURU-560027. 4. NATIONAL INFORMATICS CENTRE MINISTRY OF ELECTRONIC AND IT GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS A BLOCK, CGO COMPLEX, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI-110 003 REPRESENTED BY SENIOR DIRECTOR (IT) LEGAL INFORMATICS DIVISION. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI ARAVIND KAMATH, ASGI FOR SRI MUKUND PRASAD, CGC FOR R-1 & R-4; SRI MANJUNATH RAYAPPA, AGA FOR R-2 & R-3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO (A) TO ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR SUCH OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDERS OR DIRECTIONS, QUASHING THE NOTIFICATION BEARING NO. G.S.R. 201(E) DATED 05.03.2018 (I.E. ANNEXURE-A) IN SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO/SPECIFIES THE DATE 01.10.2020 AS FOUND IN TABLE 1 PERTAINING TO BHARAT STAGE (CEV/TREM) IV VEHICLES ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT AND NOTIFICATION NO. G.S.R. 850(E) DATED 24.11.2022 (I.E. ANNEXURE-B) ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT IN SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO/SPECIFIES THE FIGURES 01.01.2023 IN SUB SECTION 2 THEREIN, AS ARBITRARY, ILLEGAL AND UNJUST. IN W.P. NO.38374/2025 BETWEEN: NANDI MOTORS A PARTNERSHIP FIRM HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT NO.2494/2, 82/9, SURAGIMATH COMPLEX, N.H. 4 SERVICE ROAD, SHIGGAON, HAVERI DISTRICT, KARNATAKA-581205 REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER MR. PRAKASH NAGANAGOUDAR. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI SIDDHARTH SUMAN, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS, NEW DELHI. - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY ITS SECRETARY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, VIDHANA VEEDHI, BENGALRU-560001. 3. THE TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA SHANTHINGAR, BENGALURU-560027. 4. NATIONAL INFORMATICS CENTRE MINISTRY OF ELECTRONIC AND IT GOVERNMENT OF INDIA A BLOCK, CGO COMPLEX, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI-110 003 REPRESENTED BY SENIOR DIRECTOR (IT) LEGAL INFORMATICS DIVISION. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI ARAVIND KAMATH, ASGI FOR SRI MUKUND PRASAD, CGC FOR R-1 & R-4; SRI MANJUNATH RAYAPPA, AGA FOR R-2 & R-3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO (A) TO ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR SUCH OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDERS OR DIRECTIONS, QUASHING THE NOTIFICATION BEARING NO. G.S.R. 201(E) DATED 05.03.2018 (I.E. ANNEXURE-A) IN SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO/SPECIFIES THE DATE 01.10.2020 AS FOUND IN TABLE 1 PERTAINING TO BHARAT STAGE (CEV/TREM) IV VEHICLES ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT AND NOTIFICATION NO. G.S.R. 850(E) DATED 24.11.2022 (I.E. ANNEXURE-B) ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT IN SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO/SPECIFIES THE FIGURES 01.01.2023 IN SUB SECTION 2 THEREIN, AS ARBITRARY, ILLEGAL AND UNJUST. IN W.P. NO.38402/2025 BETWEEN: SULIKERI MOTORS A PARTNERSHIP FIRM HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT TAKKALAKI RC, - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS BAGALKOT ROAD BILAGI, KARNATAKA-587116 REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER MR. HANUMANTHA SULIKERI. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI SIDDHARTH SUMAN, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT BHAWAN, 1, PARLIAMENT STREET, NEW DELHI-110001. 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY ITS SECRETARY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, VIDHANA VEEDHI, BENGALRU-560001. 3. THE TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, SHANTHINAGAR, BENGALURU-560027. 4. NATIONAL INFORMATICS CENTRE MINISTRY OF ELECTRONIC AND IT GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, A BLOCK, CGO COMPLEX, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI-110 003 REPRESENTED BY SENIOR DIRECTOR (IT) LEGAL INFORMATICS DIVISION. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI ARAVIND KAMATH, ASGI FOR SRI MUKUND PRASAD, CGC FOR R-1 & R-4; SRI MANJUNATH RAYAPPA, AGA FOR R-2 & R-3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO (A) TO ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR SUCH OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDERS OR DIRECTIONS, QUASHING THE NOTIFICATION BEARING - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS NO. G.S.R. 201(E) DATED 05.03.2018 (I.E. ANNEXURE-A) IN SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO/SPECIFIES THE DATE 01.10.2020 AS FOUND IN TABLE 1 PERTAINING TO BHARAT STAGE (CEV/TREM) IV VEHICLES ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT AND NOTIFICATION NO. G.S.R 850(E) DATED 24.11.2022 (I.E. ANNEXURE-B) ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT IN SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO/SPECIFIES THE FIGURES 01.01.2023 IN SUB SECTION 2 THEREIN, AS ARBITRARY, ILLEGAL AND UNJUST. IN W.P. NO.1584/2026 BETWEEN: M/S. AMARAVATHI INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERSHIP FIRM REPRESENTED BY: INDIAN PARTNERSHIP ACT, 1932 REPRESENTED BY MANAGING PARTNER MALIPATIL GOUDAPPA GOUDA S/O SHARANAPPA GOWDA, AGED 48 YEARS REGISTERED OFFICE AT 54/1, CENTRAL STREET, 8TH CROSS, KUMARA PARK WEST, BANGALORE-560 020 ...PETITIONER (BY SRI SANDESH KUMAR M., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE UNION OF INDIA REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS, NEW DELHI-110001. 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY ITS SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, VIDHANA SOUDHA, AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU-560 001. 3. THE TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER, DEPT. OF TRANSPORT, - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU-560 027. 4. THE NATIONAL INFORMATICS CENTER MINISTRY OF ELECTRIC AND D.I.T. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, A BLOCK, CGO COMPLEX, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI-110 003 REP. BY SENIOR DIRECTOR (IT) LEGAL INFORMATICS DIVISION. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI ARAVIND KAMATH, ASGI FOR SRI MUKUND PRASAD, CGC FOR R-1 & R-4; SRI MANJUNATH RAYAPPA, AGA FOR R-2 & R-3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO QUASHING THE NOTIFICATION BEARING NO.GSR201(E) DATED 05.03.2018 (VIDE ANNEXURE-A) IN SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO SPECIFIES THE DATE 01.10.2020 AS FOUND IN TABLE 1 PERTAINING TO BHARAT STAGE (CEV/CREM)IV VEHICLE ISSUED BY THE FIRST RESPONDENT AND NOTIFICATION NO.GSR850(E) DATED 24.11.2022 (ANNEXURE-B) ISSUED BY FIRST RESPONDENT IN SO FAR IT RELATIONS TO SPECIFIES THE FIGURES 01.01.2023 IN (2) THERE IN AS ARBITRARY, ILLEGAL AND UNJUST SO PAR AS TO PETITIONER IS CONCERNED. IN W.P. NO.1594/2026 BETWEEN: MADIWALAPPA MADAR S/O SIDRAMA, AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS, R/AT NO.169, PEERAPUR, MUDDEBIHAL TALUK, BIJAPUR DISTRICT-586 214. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI SANDESH KUMAR M., ADVOCATE) - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS AND: 1. THE UNION OF INDIA REP.BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS, NEW DELHI-110 001. 2. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY ITS SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, VIDHANA SOUDHA, AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU-560 001. 3. THE TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER, DEPT. OF TRANSPORT, GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU-560 027. 4. THE NATIONAL INFORMATICS CENTER MINISTRY OF ELECTRIC & D.I.T. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, A BLOCK, CGO COMPLEX, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI-110 003 REP.BY SENIOR DIRECTOR (IT) LEGAL INFORMATIC DIVISION. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI ARAVIND KAMATH, ASGI FOR SRI MUKUND PRASAD, CGC FOR R-1 & R-4; SRI MANJUNATH RAYAPPA, AGA FOR R-2 & R-3) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO A) ISSUE A WRIT OF CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT OR ORDER OR DIRECTIONS QUASHING THE NOTIFICATION BEARING NO.GSR201(E) DATED 05.03.2018 (VIDE ANNEXURE-A) AND NOTIFICATION NO.GSR850(E) DATED 24.11.2022 (ANNEXURE-B) ISSUED BY FIRST RESPONDENT AS ARBITRARY, ILLEGAL AND UNJUST SO FOR AS THE PETITIONER IS CONCERNED. THESE PETITIONS COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA ORAL ORDER These writ petitions are filed by the petitioners seeking a direction to the respondent-authorities to permit registration of their agricultural tractors / construction equipment vehicles falling under the Bharat Stage (CEV/TREM) III, IV and V, which have been denied registration on the ground of expiry of the cut-off dates prescribed under the notifications issued by the Union of India under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. 2. The petitioners in the present batch of writ petitions are dealers, traders and purchasers of tractors and construction equipment vehicles. 3. The Central Government, in exercise of its powers under Section 110 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, has framed rules regulating emission standards for motor vehicles. In furtherance thereof, Rule 115A of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, as amended by notification - 12 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS GSR 201 (E) dated 05.03.2018, introduces progressive emission norms for agricultural tractors and construction equipment vehicles, namely stage IV and stage V, replacing the earlier stage 3 regime. 4. The said notification prescribes cut-off dates (dates of applicability) for implementation of the revised emission norms. From such dates, vehicle must comply with the new emission standard. The proviso to Rule 115A (9) provides a transitional window, whereby ‘vehicles manufactured prior to the date of applicability of the revised emission norms may be registered within a period of six months from the date of implementation.’ 5. It is thus clear that the determinative criterion under the statutory scheme is the date of manufacture. It is also not in dispute that the Central Government has, from time to time, extended the timelines for implementation, and as on date, the outer timeline stands extended upto April 2026 in respect of stage V transition. - 13 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS It is also not in dispute that Section 39 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 mandates registration of a vehicle as a prerequisite for its use in any public place. The principal question that arises for consideration is: “Whether the petitioners are entitled to seek registration of their vehicles despite expiry of the original cut-off dates?” 6. The petitioners contend that the subject tractors fall under TREM Stage III, IV and V and were manufactured prior to the cut-off dates and that the details of such sale and compliance are reflected in the E- Vahan Portal records and therefore, the respondents are bound to register the vehicle. 7. Reliance is placed on the decision of the Apex Court in the case of M.C. Mehta Vs. Union of India and others1 (M.C. Mehta), wherein it has been held that, though restriction may be imposed on registration, vehicles that had already been sold prior to the cut-off 1 WP (Civil) No.13029/1985 - 14 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS date cannot be denied registration. It is further contended that the delay in registration is due to the circumstances beyond the control of the petitioners, including system- related constraints. It is submitted that the provisions relating to temporary registration under Rule 53A inserted on 31.03.2021, do not apply to fully built tractors sold within the State. Similarly placed vehicles have been granted registration even after the cut-off date and hence, the denial of registration to the petitioners is arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The petitioners also rely upon the earlier orders of this Court and the subsequent extension of timelines upto 2026 to contend that a beneficial and purposive interpretation must be adopted. 8. Per contra, learned ASG appearing for the Union of India submits that the Central Government is duly empowered under Section 110 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to frame rules regulating emission standards in the interest of public health and environmental protection. It is - 15 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS submitted that Rule 115A (9) clearly prescribes the date of implementation of the emission norms and provides only a limited six-month window for registration of vehicles manufactured prior thereto. It is specifically contended that the final implementation date for Stage IV is 01.01.2023 and the statutory window for registration expired six months thereafter. It is submitted that the petitioners themselves admit that the subject tractors were sold during July 2022, October 2022 and April 2023, but remain unregistered even as on 2025, and that such inordinate delay is unexplained. It is contended that the plea of circumstances beyond control ‘cannot override the statutory environmental cut-off dates, which have been framed in public interest.’ 9. This Court has carefully considered the submissions and on perusal of the pleadings and the material on record, the position that emerges in all these writ petitions is as follows: - 16 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS Sl. No. WP No. Stage (TREM) Date of purchase/sale Implementation date Statutory window upto 01.07.2023 1. 1625/2026 IV Prior to 01.01.2023 01.01.2023 01.07.2023 2. 1584/2026 IV 01.01.2023 01.01.2023 Upto 01.07.2023 3. 1594/2026 V 01.04.2024 01.04.2026 Upto 01.10.2026 4. 37833/2025 IV/V 15.12.2022 01.01.2023 / 01.04.2026 Upto 01.07.2023 / Upto 01.10.2026 5. 38374/2025 III/V Transition to stage 4 01.01.2023 Upto 01.07.2023 6. 38402/2025 IV/V 01.01.2023 01.01.2023 / 01.04.2026 Upto 01.07.2023 / 01.10.2026 7. 38320/2025 III/IV Prior to 01.01.2023 01.01.2023 Upto 01.07.2023 10. It is not in dispute that respondent No.1 is empowered under Section 110 of the Motor Vehicles Act, - 17 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS 1988 to frame rules relating to emission standards. Rule 115A of the Central Government Rules, 1989 mandates compliance with emission norms and Rule 115A (9) provides a transitional window of six months for registration of vehicles manufactured prior to the implementation of the revised norms. Further, Section 39 of the MV Act mandates registration as a condition precedent for the use of a vehicle in public place. The notification dated 05.03.2018, GSR 201 (E) introduced TREM Stage IV and Stage V norms. Though the initial dates of implementation were fixed, it is an admitted position that the Central Government has granted multiple extensions and as on date, the outer limit extended in respect of Stage V transition. This conduct of the Government itself indicates the timelines are not inflexible and the implementation has been progressively calibrated. 11. Insofar as Stage IV and Stage V vehicles are concerned, the petitioners have established that the vehicles were purchased to their respective cut-off dates - 18 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS and the statutory scheme provides a transitional window which has been subsequently extended. Denial of registration despite such extension amounts to mechanical application of the rule, ignoring its purpose. 12. In respect of Stage III vehicles, though transition to Stage IV has been completed as a part of the regulatory shift, the following factors assume significance. Whether the vehicles were shown to have been sold prior to the cut-off date, the subsequent implementation of the regulatory framework itself demonstrates that the transition has been phased in nature. Instances have been placed on record where similarly situated vehicles have been registered either administratively or pursuant to judicial orders. Thus, even though stricter scrutiny applies to stage III cases, outright rejection without examining this aspect would be arbitrary. 13. In terms of Rule 115A (9), the entitlement to seek registration during transitional is conditioned upon - 19 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS the vehicle having been manufactured prior to the date of the applicability of the new emission norms and the subsequent extensions granted by the Government further reinforce that the timelines are not inflexible. Accordingly, the point for consideration is answered and this Court pass the following: ORDER i. The writ petitions are allowed in part. ii. The respondents are directed to permit the petitioners to complete the process of registration of the subject vehicles and subject to compliance with all other statutory requirements. iii. For the said purpose: a. Respondent No.1-competent authority shall issue necessary directions to the concerned authorities, including respondent No.4, to enable the petitioners to upload/process the details of the vehicles on the E-Vahan Portal - 20 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:17220 WP No. 1625 of 2026 C/W WP No. 37833 of 2025 WP No. 38320 of 2025 AND 4 OTHERS within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of the copy of this order. b. Thereafter, the petitioners shall approach the jurisdictional Registering Authority (RTO) and complete all legal formalities. c. The jurisdictional Registering Authority shall complete the process of registration within a further period of four (4) weeks. iv. It is made clear that this direction is issued having regard to the peculiar facts of the present cases and in light of the extension granted upto April 2026, and the six months statutory window thereafter shall be treated as a one-time measure and shall not be cited as a precedent. Sd/- _____________________ JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA MBM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 66