On Monday the Supreme Court will take up a public‑interest case that points to Delhi’s worsening air quality. The hearing follows a 12‑November ruling that raised alarms over the city’s severe pollution levels and asked the states of Punjab and Haryana to explain how they are cracking down on stubble burning, the main culprit of the smog.
Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, joined by Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria, will sit on the case on Thursday. The three justices had already warned that Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has topped 450 in several spots, a figure that shelves it firmly in the “severe” category. They also took note of reports that construction work—like drilling drills outside the Supreme Court—continues even when the air is dangerously polluted.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan told the bench that routine building projects should pause “for a few days” to protect people’s health. An amicus curiae, senior advocate Aparajita Singh, flagged gaps in the official pollution data and warned that the situation had become “very dangerous”.
The Court’s earlier order demanded that Punjab and Haryana file affidavits detailing measures taken to stop stubble burning. It also asked the Centre for a report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on how it monitors and enforces pollution rules, and urged tougher penalties—including arrests—to deter farmers from setting crop residue ablaze.
In a separate note, Justice P.S. Narasimha urged lawyers to use virtual hearings rather than appear in person, cautioning that Delhi’s toxic air could cause “permanent damage.” “The situation is very, very serious. Why are you all appearing here?” he asked. “We have a virtual hearing facility. Please avail it. This pollution will cause permanent damage,” he added.
The Supreme Court’s renewed scrutiny of Delhi’s air pollution—driven by stubble burning and stagnant weather—highlights a growing public demand for stronger action to curb the city’s deadly smog and protect residents’ health.
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