CJI advises hybrid Court hearings amid severe air pollution in Delhi

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has advised members of the Bar and parties-in-person to avail the hybrid mode of appearance through video conferencing in matters listed before the Supreme Court , in view of the prevailing weather conditions in the national capital.

A circular issued on Sunday by the apex court administration stated that the Chief Justice has advised lawyers and litigants, if convenient, to appear virtually for their scheduled hearings. The advisory comes against the backdrop of worsening air quality in Delhi, raising concerns over health and safety.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi soared to 461 on Sunday, placing it in the ‘severe’ category and marking the city’s most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality on record . According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) , an AQI level above 400 poses serious public health risks , even to healthy individuals.

Health experts have cautioned that prolonged exposure to hazardous air can trigger respiratory and cardiovascular ailments, particularly among vulnerable groups.

Earlier, on November 26, while considering whether Supreme Court hearings should move to a virtual-only mode due to the pollution crisis, the Chief Justice remarked that he had felt unwell after an hour-long walk a day earlier. The observation was made during hearings on petitions challenging the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and other states.

At present, the apex court follows a hybrid system, allowing both physical and virtual hearings. On November 13, Supreme Court judge Justice P. S. Narasimha had also advised lawyers to avoid physical appearances and opt for virtual hearings amid the hazardous air quality in the Delhi-NCR region.

The latest advisory raises the question of whether prolonged severe air pollution could force the Supreme Court to consider a temporary shift to virtual-only hearings if conditions fail to improve.