The Supreme Court on Thursday sharply criticized the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, calling the situation “very, very serious” as pollution levels in the national capital crossed 400 for the third consecutive day. The Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘severe’ category across several monitoring stations, blanketing the city in dense smog.
A Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Atul S Chandurkar urged lawyers to opt for virtual hearings instead of appearing physically in court.
“Why are you all appearing here? We have virtual hearing facilities. Please avail them. This pollution will cause permanent damage,” the Bench noted, according to Bar and Bench.
Masks Not Enough, Says Supreme Court
During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal pointed out that many lawyers were already wearing masks due to the hazardous air quality. However, Justice Narasimha warned that masks alone may not offer adequate protection in such conditions.
“Even masks are not enough. It will not suffice. We will discuss this with the Chief Justice as well,” he said.
Pollution Levels Worsen Across Delhi
Delhi woke up to another morning of thick smog, with AQI readings soaring past 400 — a level known to cause respiratory issues, aggravate existing health conditions, and pose immediate risks to vulnerable populations. Air quality has hovered in the ‘severe’ zone for three days amid stagnant wind conditions and ongoing pollution sources.
The Supreme Court’s warning comes at a time when public health experts have repeatedly flagged the long-term risks of prolonged exposure to toxic air, urging immediate mitigation steps.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
