‘Pollution is spiraling out of control’: Kabil Sibal and Tushar Mehta seek virtual court proceedings in Delhi NCR – Times of India

NEW DELHI: As air quality in Delhi-NCR reaches dangerous levels, Advocate General Tushar MehtaSupreme Court Bar Association president Kapil Sibal on Monday urged Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna to shift all courts in the region to a fully virtual mode.
The request comes in response to the enforcement of phase IV measures (severe+). Graduated response action plan (JOKE), caused by the alarming air quality.
Highlighting the worsening air pollution, Sibal told the CJI-led bench: “Pollution is going out of control.”
Responding to the concerns, CJI Khanna pointed out that the judiciary is aware of the situation. “We have asked all judges to allow virtual hearings wherever possible,” he assured, adding that no case would be dismissed due to the absence of lawyers in physical courtrooms. Despite repeated requests for a complete switch to virtual hearings, the CJI stated that courts would continue to function in hybrid mode for the time being.

Phase IV GRAP measures are being implemented to combat pollution

The argument at the Supreme Court comes as Delhi-NCR enforces phase IV (Severe+) measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), following an announcement by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday. The measures came into effect at 8am on Monday 18 November in response to critical air quality levels and the approaching winter season, which is exacerbating pollution.

Main restrictions under Phase IV

1. Education
Delhi CM Atishi announced the suspension of physical classes for all students, except those in classes 10 and 12, and directed schools to switch to online classes until further notice. The Delhi government had also recommended shifting students in grades VI to IX and XI to online learning. However, later the physical classes for classes 10 and 12 were also shifted to online mode.
2. Personnel management
Authorities are urging public, municipal and private offices to implement a 50% work-from-home policy, with the remaining workforce working remotely.
3. Vehicle Restrictions
Only trucks carrying essential goods or using clean fuel (LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel or electric) are allowed to enter Delhi.
Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, except electric vehicles and CNG or BS-VI diesel vehicles, are banned.