NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has expressed that Delhi’s toxic air made him feel unwell after a morning walk and said he is actively considering shifting Supreme Court hearings to a fully virtual mode if needed. He raised the issue in court after senior advocates sought relief from physical appearances due to health problems linked to the capital’s pollution.
During a recent hearing, the CJI said that after a roughly 55-minute walk he experienced breathing difficulties and discomfort for the rest of the morning, remarking that even basic outdoor exercise had become difficult in Delhi’s current conditions. Senior lawyers Rakesh Dwivedi and Kapil Sibal urged that hearings be moved online, at least for older lawyers, pointing out that they are “breathing obnoxious air” when the Air Quality Index hovers between 300 and 500.
Justice Surya Kant indicated that he would consult the Bar and consider options such as virtual-only hearings or exemptions for lawyers above 60 from physical attendance. He also underlined that Delhi’s pollution problem requires long-term, coordinated solutions rather than short, seasonal measures, warning that continued exposure risks permanent health damage for residents and court participants alike.
