Delhi Pollution Crisis: Supreme Court Urges Lawyers to Use Virtual Hearings

The Supreme Court on Thursday remarked that the air pollution situation in Delhi has become extremely serious and advised lawyers to avoid physical appearances in court. Instead, the Bench suggested that they use the video conferencing (VC) facility to protect themselves from harmful air quality.

A Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Atul S Chandurkar made the observation while hearing matters in court. Justice Narasimha warned that the current pollution levels could cause permanent damage to health and urged lawyers to stay safe.

When Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned that many lawyers were already using masks, the Bench responded that masks alone would not offer sufficient protection.

According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi recorded an AQI of 425 on Tuesday morning. Following this, CAQM activated a 9-point action plan under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region.

A separate Bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai is also monitoring Delhi’s pollution crisis. On Wednesday, that Bench sought detailed updates from Punjab and Haryana on the steps being taken to reduce stubble burning, which remains a major contributor to poor air quality across the Indo-Gangetic belt.