Delhi Air Pollution: CJI Sanjiv Khanna Asks Judges to Allow Virtual Hearing Wherever Possible

New Delhi: Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Tuesday said all judges have been asked to allow virtual hearings wherever possible in view of severe pollution levels in national capital region.

As soon as bench comprising CJI and Justice Sanjay Kumar assembled, lawyers, including Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Kapil Sibal, referred to worsening pollution in Delhi and NCR and sought immediate measures to deal with it.

“We have told all judges to allow virtual hearings wherever possible,” CJI said.

“Pollution is getting out of control,” Sibal said.

He was supported by various lawyers that also included Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Gopal Sankaranarayanan “It needs to go down. message should go to or courts,” Sibal ded.

solicitor general said top court, as a matter of principle, should go virtual.

“We have given message to accommodate everybody. Moreover, online is anyway available," CJI said.

On Monday, top court took note of fact that Air Quality Index (AQI) entered into 'severe plus' category and directed all Delhi-NCR states to immediately set up teams to strictly enforce anti-pollution GRAP 4 restrictions, making it clear that curbs will continue till furr orders.

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 484 at 8 am on Monday, worst this season. AQI in certain areas also breached 500 mark.

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