Court to act in hybrid mode… Supreme Court directions on rising pollution in Delhi

Taking a voluntary view of air pollution reaching dangerous levels in the Delhi-NCR region, the Supreme Court directed the courts to act in a mixed manner considering the pollution. During this period the court expressed serious concern about pollution. In fact, as soon as the court hearing began, Bar Association President Kapil Sibal requested the court to take the pollution into consideration. On this request, the court said that lawyers can choose between physical or virtual presence to appear before the court and ordered all courts to conduct hearings in mixed mode. The Chief Justice also assured that no case will be dismissed for lack of lawyers. If advocates appear in virtual mode, it will be accepted. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal expressed concern over pollution, saying the courts should act in a mixed manner. According to the Chief Justice, the court allows the lawyers to appear. Sibal said the order should be extended to other courts so that vehicles ply less and pollution will be reduced. Seeking the cooperation of lawyers, the chief justice said, “We are sending a message that everyone should work together.” However, the Chief Justice rejected Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's proposal to run the courts entirely virtually. The Chief Justice said that the courts would function only in hybrid mode. In view of the increasing pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, the Supreme Court directed the state governments to strictly implement the Grape-4 rules. The Supreme Court directed all the NCR states to immediately set up committees for the necessary vigilance measures under GRAB-IV. Schools have also been advised to remain closed till the situation stabilizes.