Delhi's Toxic Air Forces Supreme Court to Rethink Hearings Amid Health Concerns | India News
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New Delhi: Delhi's severe air pollution has disrupted Supreme Court proceedings, prompting Chief Justice Surya Kant to consider virtual hearings for senior lawyers affected by the poor air quality. The issue arose during a hearing on a plea to ensure continued education for students from low-income backgrounds who are being deprived of their right to education due to online classes forced by pollution emergencies. The Chief Justice noted that judges themselves are not immune to the health impacts of pollution, with many over 60 years old. He recalled a recent instance where a former Supreme Court judge experienced a stroke linked to the prevailing weather conditions. The court expressed concern over the growing human toll of air pollution, which has been classified as 'very poor' for the 21st consecutive day. The plea, filed by advocates Pankaj Sinha and Shashank Singh, sought the implementation of the PRAGYATA guidelines to ensure structured online education for students in government schools. The guidelines, introduced during the Covid pandemic, aim to provide equitable access to education for all. The court, however, declined to pass any orders without hearing from the Centre and the state. The issue of air pollution has been a persistent concern in the Supreme Court, with multiple cases being heard on the matter. The court has recently approved significant revisions to the Graded Response Action Plan, which aims to tackle air pollution in Delhi NCR. The revised structure includes stricter measures to be implemented at earlier stages of pollution. The Delhi education secretary has been summoned to appear before the court in the next hearing, as the court expressed concern over the administrative indifference in addressing the issue. The Chief Justice's remarks came as another Supreme Court judge, Justice PS Narasimha, had earlier expressed alarm over the deteriorating air quality in the national capital region, urging lawyers to avoid physical appearances and opt for virtual hearings instead.
