Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed concern about the worsening air quality in Delhi from personal experience and after defense lawyers asked him to move the hearing to virtual mode, he said he would consider the same after discussing the issue with the Bar.
On Wednesday, the CJI said that air pollution in Delhi has made it difficult to walk in the evening. He shared that the only exercise he does is walking, and that after a 55-minute walk on the previous date, he suffered physical discomfort until the next morning.
The chief justice made the observation after Rakesh Dwivedi, senior advocate, sought an excuse from the hearing related to the SIR process on the grounds of ill health. When the CJI asked him if his condition was related to Delhi’s pollution, Dwivedi replied in the affirmative.
The CJI then remarked, “The only exercise I do is walking. But even that is difficult now. I walked for 55 minutes yesterday and had problems till morning.”
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal also expressed his concern over the situation and said that the air quality has now made him stop going for walks altogether.
“Breathing this disagreeable air, at our age…” said the elderly barrister.
Dwivedi himself then agreed that his health had indeed deteriorated after he went for a walk.
The CJI said he would consider the proposal after consulting the Bar Association.
“If there is such a decision at all, I would like to take the bar into confidence. If something is to be done, if the Bar Association thinks so, it should be a uniform rule. Keep in mind that if the Bar Association makes a proposal, we will be open to considering it. I am meeting the office bearers at the Constitution Day event this evening. I will share your suggestions,” he said, according to Live Law.
Dwivedi also said that lawyers who have crossed the age of 60 should be allowed to sit virtually until conditions improve.
GRAP-III restrictions lifted
The GRAP-III restrictions were lifted by the Air Quality Management Commission in Delhi on Wednesday, but the restrictions under GRAP-I and II will still be in force.
A layer of haze enveloped the national capital on Wednesday morning as the average air quality index (AQI) stood at 337 at 7 am, according to ANI. This falls into the “very bad” category.
The AQI around India Gate was recorded at 358, while the AQI near the Ghazipur area reached 363.
