"Experts Say Your Beautiful Cars Also Contribute To Air Pollution" CJI SA Bobde Says, While Hearing Stubble Burning Issue

The Supreme Court today made oral observations regarding the issue of worsening air pollution in the capital, after the Centre informed the court that a legislation has been promulgated today to tackle the issue of stubble burning in neighbouring states.

Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said that they have been in talks with experts who have stated Stubble Burning is not the sole cause for Air Pollution in the capital and vehicular pollution is a major contributor as well. "Its time to take out your bicycles," said the CJI

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Court that the Ordinance on "Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas" is ready and that the Court may record his statement in this regard.

The bench, also comprising Justices AS Bopanna & V. Ramasubramaniun however stated that it would like to go through the ordinance once before passing any orders in that regard, stating that it will take up the matter for further consideration on next Friday.

At this juncture, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, who appeared for a petitioners, a class XII student and a law student said that the law would be of no use and that he had in fact gone through the ordinance. "By that time, the Air Quality will get even worst, I have seen the ordinance & will not take care of anything this year." Singh argued.

CJI SA Bobde assured him that no orders will be passed without taking into account suggestions put forth by the petitioner(s).

"Mr. Vikas Mehta, we will hear you, we'll ask the SG if he is considering the steps you are suggesting. This is not an adversarial litigation" CJI remarked.

On a lighter note, the Chief Justice also added that he will hold the Solicitor General responsible if any of the persons appearing before top court in the instant case fell sick because of Air Pollution.

As the "stubble burning season" comes closer, the Top Court, had earlier appointed a One-Man Committee headed by Former SC Judge, Justice Madan B. Lokur to take steps for its prevention in the state of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on October 16.

However, just two days ago, Top Court put the order passed by it on hold.

The bench passed the order based on a request made by the Solicitor General of India, Mr. Tushar Mehta after he stated that the Central Government was bringing a comprehensive legislation to set up a permanent body to address the problem of stubble burning. 

The PIL [Aditya Dubey & Anr. V. Union of India] had then been posted for today along with the MC Mehta Case [WP(C) 13029 of 1985] concerning Air Pollution.