India, Nov. 2 -- "Don't travel by air." These four words from the Supreme Court were enough to dismiss an urgent request for an early hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the steep surge in domestic airfares during the Diwali festive season.

Justice Vikram Nath made the remark after the petitioner's counsel raised concerns over what was described as an extraordinary increase in airline ticket prices.

The judge then asked for the "next case" to be taken up, effectively rejecting the request for an urgent hearing.

Petitioner claims airfares have increased by 700%

The petitioner approached the Supreme Court seeking a cap on domestic airfares, alleging that airlines had increased ticket prices by as much as 700 per ce...