Kabil Sibal and Tushar Mehta have expressed concerns about pollution in Delhi NCR, stating it is “getting out of control.” They have called for virtual court proceedings to address the issue more effectively. The plea highlights the urgency of managing the environmental crisis in the region. The two legal experts seek a more efficient way to handle cases amid the pollution crisis.
New Delhi: As air quality in Delhi-NCR plummeted to hazardous levels, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Supreme Court Bar Association president Kapil Sibal called on Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna to shift all courts in the region to a fully virtual format.
This appeal made in light of the implementation of Stage-IV (Severe+) measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), prompted by the alarming pollution levels.
Sibal emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating,
“Pollution is getting out of control.”
In response, CJI Khanna acknowledged the judiciary’s awareness of the issue, asserting,
“We have asked all judges to allow virtual hearings wherever possible, and assured that no cases would be dismissed due to lawyers’ absence from in-person court appearances.”
Despite ongoing calls for a complete transition to virtual hearings, the CJI confirmed that courts would continue to operate in a hybrid mode for the time being.
The Supreme Court’s discussion arises as Delhi-NCR implements Stage-IV (Severe+) measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), following an announcement by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday.
These measures took effect at 8 AM on Monday, November 18, in response to critical air quality levels and the upcoming winter season, which worsens pollution.
Key Restrictions Under Stage-IV:
- Education: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced the suspension of physical classes for all students, except those in Classes 10 and 12, instructing schools to switch to online lessons until further notice. The Delhi government also recommended that students in Grades VI to IX and XI move to online learning. Subsequently, physical classes for Classes 10 and 12 were also transitioned to online mode.
- Workforce Management: Authorities have urged public, municipal, and private offices to adopt a 50% work-from-home policy, with the remaining staff working remotely.
- Vehicle Restrictions: Only trucks transporting essential goods or using clean fuels (LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electric) are allowed entry into Delhi. Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, except for EVs and CNG or BS-VI diesel vehicles, are banned from entering the city.
Pollution in Delhi has become a severe and ongoing environmental crisis, with the city regularly recording some of the highest levels of air pollution in the world. Key contributors to the pollution include vehicle emissions, industrial activities, construction dust, and seasonal factors like crop burning in neighboring states.
The city’s air quality often deteriorates in the winter months, leading to smog, poor visibility, and health issues for residents. Despite government efforts to tackle pollution through measures such as restricting vehicle usage, promoting cleaner fuels, and improving public transportation, pollution levels remain dangerously high, impacting public health and quality of life.
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