Today, On 15th December, Amid severe pollution levels in the national capital, the Delhi High Court issued an advisory to the Bar. Lawyers and self-represented litigants were advised to utilise hybrid appearances via video conferencing to reduce physical presence in court.
Due to severe pollution levels in the city, the Delhi High Court advised lawyers and self-representing parties to utilize hybrid appearances via video conferencing for their cases.
Delhi was enveloped in thick smog, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a staggering 498, which falls into the upper end of the ‘severe’ category.
A circular from the registrar general of the high court stated,
“in view of the prevailing weather conditions, I have been directed to convey that if convenient, members of the bar/parties-in-person may avail hybrid mode of appearance through video conferencing facility in their matters listed before the hon’ble courts.”
Earlier, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also encouraged bar members and self-represented parties to consider hybrid appearances through video conferencing for cases scheduled before the Supreme Court, given the current weather conditions.
Currently, the high court operates in a hybrid format, allowing proceedings to take place both physically and virtually.
38 monitoring stations reported ‘severe’ air quality, while two stations showed ‘very poor’ levels. Jahangirpuri recorded the worst air quality among the 40 monitored stations with an AQI of 498.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI classifications are as follows: 0-50 is considered ‘good,’ 51-100 ‘satisfactory,’ 101-200 ‘moderate,’ 201-300 ‘poor,’ 301-400 ‘very poor,’ and 401-500 ‘severe.’
The AQI in Delhi had risen to 461 on Sunday, marking the city’s most polluted day this winter and the second-worst air quality day in December on record, as weak winds and low temperatures trapped pollutants near the ground.
Health experts have issued warnings about serious public health risks linked to prolonged exposure to hazardous air quality.
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