Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Tuesday disposed of a plea seeking assured domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply, after the Union govt said it was making “all possible attempts” at both domestic and international levels to prevent hardship amid supply pressures tied to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict.“In view of the statements on affidavit and considering that the situation has arisen due to the ongoing conflict between the US-Israel and Iran, we are of the opinion that such a situation warrants a high degree of judicial restraint and caution by the court. During times of conflict, the court should not interfere with discretionary powers exercised by the executive in good faith,” the judges said in the order.A division bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode recorded the Centre’s submissions and observed that it is evident the govt was taking necessary steps to protect the interests of individuals.Appearing for the Centre, solicitor general of India, Tushar Mehta, orally contended that the govt was fully aware of issues concerning LPG. “The govt is making all possible attempts domestically and internationally to ensure that no hardship is caused to anyone and distribution and availability remains smooth,” he submitted.Urging judicial restraint, the Centre requested that it be allowed to manage the situation “in the best possible manner in the larger public interest,” while noting that certain international measures could not be disclosed due to ongoing negotiations. “We have not deliberately narrated what steps we have taken at the international level. We are doing our best,” Mehta said.Addressing concerns of local shortages, the govt said any disruption arising from “individual dereliction of duty or breach of law of any wholesale or retail distributor” was being met with strict action.Khem Chand, undersecretary (LPG), govt of India, had filed an affidavit stating the international situation is witnessing “emerging changes,” with the govt closely monitoring developments and taking remedial measures to ensure that global crises do not impact the country.He described the circumstances as “ever evolving,” stating it’s for the Union govt to act both domestically and internationally in the interest of its citizens. He further noted that given the sensitive nature of the matter “it may not be desirable to discuss or debate these issues in court”.The petition, filed by six LPG distributors through counsels Shyam and Sahil Dewani, had sought directives for strict enforcement of orders under Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and related provisions to ensure adequate availability of domestic LPG cylinders.On March 12, the court had termed the issue “of a serious nature and of grave importance” and sought responses from the ministry of petroleum and natural gas, along with the Union govt, the directorate general of foreign trade, and Confidence Petroleum India Ltd.Accepting on the Union govt’s assurances, the court closed the case, placing on record the govt’s commitment to stabilise LPG supply amid global uncertainty and domestic demand pressures.
