{"id":11905,"date":"2026-10-29T13:13:43","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T13:13:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/?p=11905"},"modified":"2026-10-29T13:16:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T13:16:29","slug":"pollution-hits-the-bench-judges-cant-work-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/29\/pollution-hits-the-bench-judges-cant-work-from-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Pollution Hits the Bench: \u201cJudges Can\u2019t Work From Home\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"11905\" class=\"elementor elementor-11905\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has-el-gap el-gap-default elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f2b778e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f2b778e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ab78b10\" data-id=\"ab78b10\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e953f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8e953f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><strong>The Supreme Court has highlighted the unequal options available to lawyers and judges amid Delhi\u2019s worsening air pollution, observing that lawyers can appear virtually while judges are required to attend court in person.<\/strong><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-11906\" src=\"https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Smoggy-Home-Debate-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"651\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Smoggy-Home-Debate-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Smoggy-Home-Debate-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Smoggy-Home-Debate-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Smoggy-Home-Debate-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Smoggy-Home-Debate-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Smoggy-Home-Debate-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Smoggy-Home-Debate-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Smoggy-Home-Debate.jpg 1672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 651px) 100vw, 651px\" \/>Air pollution in Delhi-NCR became the subject of a pointed exchange in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, when Justice Vikram Nath observed that lawyers could avoid polluted air by working from home, whereas judges had no similar option while conducting court proceedings in person.<\/p><p>The remark was made during the hearing of a petition concerning pollution, as a scheduling dispute arose over whether the matter should be listed before or after Diwali.<\/p><p>Senior advocate Indira Jaising requested that the case be listed on November 17, after the festival. However, an opposing counsel pressed for an earlier hearing, citing concerns that pollution levels in Delhi and neighbouring areas could deteriorate after Diwali.<\/p><p>Jaising remarked that pollution remained severe both before and after the festival and suggested that the matter could be heard later. In response, Justice Nath observed that air quality could worsen following Diwali and indicated that an earlier hearing would therefore be preferable.<\/p><p>When Jaising pointed out that lawyers appearing in person would also have to face the polluted air, Justice Nath highlighted the availability of virtual appearances for advocates.<\/p><p>\u201cYou have the option of avoiding pollution by staying at home, but we cannot do that,\u201d the judge observed, referring to the possibility of lawyers attending proceedings through video conferencing.<\/p><h2>Delhi\u2019s Air Quality Raises Concern<\/h2><p>The exchange took place against the backdrop of recurring winter pollution in the national capital. Historical air-quality data cited in the report showed that Delhi\u2019s average Air Quality Index (AQI) had risen from 268 on October 18, 2025, to 345 on Diwali, October 20, before reaching 353 on October 22.<\/p><p>In 2026, the first stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was implemented across Delhi-NCR on October 21 by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). Delhi\u2019s average AQI was recorded at 244 at 2 pm that day and 245 at 4 pm. It subsequently stood at 197 at 4 pm on October 27 before rising to 228 at 7 am on October 28.<\/p><p>Vehicular emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, stubble burning and waste burning have repeatedly been identified as contributors to the region\u2019s pollution crisis.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has-el-gap el-gap-default elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-49a751b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"49a751b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9a88bed\" data-id=\"9a88bed\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4bef96 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c4bef96\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 16.604px; font-family: 'Public Sans', system-ui, sans-serif; font-weight: var(--title-fw-bold);\">ALSO READ<\/span><\/p><h5 class=\"is-title post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/21\/not-a-maid-but-a-partner\/\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">\u201cNot a Maid, But a Partner\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/h5><div class=\"sub-title\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Supreme Court Questions Divorce Plea Over Household Chores<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has-el-gap el-gap-default elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-409f273 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"409f273\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-66ebe55\" data-id=\"66ebe55\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cd8a29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6cd8a29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Firecracker Restrictions Remain Under Judicial Scrutiny<\/h2><p>The Supreme Court has continued to monitor air pollution and the regulation of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. Over the years, concerns have been raised about inadequate enforcement of restrictions and the potential consequences of pollution for children, elderly persons and people with existing health vulnerabilities.<\/p><p>In earlier proceedings, the court questioned whether religious practices could justify activities that endangered public health. Restrictions on firecracker sales and use have subsequently been reconsidered in light of environmental concerns, scientific evidence and religious sentiments.<\/p><p>On September 30, 2026, a bench comprising Justices M. M. Sundaresh and Augustine George Masih reportedly declined to impose a complete ban on firecrackers or permit their unrestricted use throughout the day. A subsequent hearing on October 12 also brought enforcement concerns before the court, with questions being raised about the religious justification for bursting firecrackers.<\/p><p>The latest courtroom exchange has once again drawn attention to the practical difficulties created by Delhi\u2019s pollution crisis. While virtual hearings can offer lawyers some flexibility, the observation by Justice Nath has highlighted that the judiciary\u2019s working arrangements may leave judges with fewer options to avoid exposure.<\/p><p>The broader challenge remains unresolved: effective pollution control requires more than judicial monitoring, with consistent enforcement and sustained action against the sources of pollution being essential to protecting public health.<\/p><h2>Domestic Violence Complaint Also Rejected<\/h2><p>In 2013, a complaint was filed by Advani under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, against Kapadia and other members of Khanna\u2019s family. Monthly maintenance and accommodation in a three-bedroom flat in Mumbai\u2019s Bandra area were among the reliefs sought.<\/p><p>The complaint was quashed by the Bombay High Court in 2015. It was held that Advani\u2019s relationship with Khanna did not qualify as a relationship in the nature of marriage for the purposes of the domestic violence law. It was also observed that Khanna\u2019s family members could not be proceeded against in the circumstances described, as Advani had not lived with them.<\/p><p>The latest dismissal marks another setback for Advani\u2019s efforts to obtain judicial recognition of her alleged relationship with the actor. The proceedings also highlight the distinction under Indian law between a claimed live-in relationship and a relationship that satisfies the legal requirements for recognition as a marriage or as a relationship in the nature of marriage under the domestic violence legislation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has-el-gap el-gap-default elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d8b944 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1d8b944\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b80ec40\" data-id=\"b80ec40\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1aab84 elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b1aab84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6 style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/13\/the-shadows-secrets-of-greatest-unsolved-heists\/\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>READ MORE<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h6><h4 class=\"is-title post-title\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/08\/virtual-crimes\/\"><strong>VIRTUAL CRIMES<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has-el-gap el-gap-default 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Air pollution in Delhi-NCR became the subject of a pointed exchange in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, when Justice<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11906,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[1888,1889,55,1887],"class_list":["post-11905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-most-recent","tag-air-pollution","tag-delhi-air-pollution","tag-supreme-court","tag-work-from-home"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Pollution Hits the Bench: \u201cJudges Can\u2019t Work From Home\u201d Legal Mitra<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/legalmitra.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/29\/pollution-hits-the-bench-judges-cant-work-from-home\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Pollution Hits the Bench: \u201cJudges Can\u2019t Work From Home\u201d Legal Mitra\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Supreme Court has highlighted the unequal options available to lawyers and judges amid Delhi\u2019s worsening air pollution, observing that lawyers can appear virtually while judges are required to attend court in person. 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