Date: 02.09.2025
Recognizing the significant health risks posed by the city’s toxic air, Chief Justice Surya Kant has advised lawyers and litigants to opt for virtual participation. This move aims to reduce the need for commuting through dangerous levels of smog. The Court Registry has officially authorized a “hybrid mode” of appearance. This means that anyone with a scheduled case—whether a senior advocate or an individual representing themselves—has the formal blessing of the court to attend via video conferencing. The directive follows direct appeals from the legal community. During recent hearings, senior lawyers voiced their struggles with the deteriorating environment, prompting the Chief Justice to provide a safer alternative to physical courtrooms.The advisory is rooted in real-world experience; Chief Justice Surya Kant recently shared in open court that the pollution has been so severe it forced him to abandon his own daily morning walks, underscoring his empathy for those working in the capital. All participants are still expected to follow the same professional technical and procedural standards required for any high-court proceeding. To ensure everyone is informed, the Court worked closely with the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Advocates-on-Record Association to distribute this safety notification immediately. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing the 450 mark—categorized as “Severe Plus”—the Court’s decision acknowledges that the current climate has reached a level that interferes with the basic safe functioning of public institutions.
