Felt unwell when went for a walk: CJI Kant mulls virtual-only hearings in Supreme Court due to Delhi pollution

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday explored the possibility of conducting Supreme Court hearings in virtual mode due to severe air pollution, saying he felt unwell when he went for an hour-long walk.

The Supreme Court, presently, functioned in hybrid mode where proceedings are conducted through both physical and virtual modes.

Lawyers urged a bench led by the CJI that the advocates above 60 years of age should be allowed to appear virtually.

The CJI said he would decide on the idea of allowing virtual hearings for lawyers above 60 years of age after consulting the bar.

The court was hearing pleas challenging the Election Commission’s decision to conduct special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and other states.

Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the poll panel, sought exemption from personal presence.

“I have congestion issues... Please allow my colleague to take notes. I want to appear through video conferencing on the next date,” Dwivedi said.

The senior lawyer said he is having some issues after he went for a morning walk.

“Permission may be given to appear online, I am not well," he said.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal concurred and said "The Air Quality Index (AQI) is 400-500.”

The CJI said he did not feel well after a morning walk.

“The only exercise I do is I go for a walk. Yesterday, I walked for 55 minutes but when I came back it was difficult. I was facing the problem. I go for a walk in the evening when it is comparatively (better),” he said.

Lawyers then broached the idea of virtual hearing for those above 60 years of age.

“If I take any decision, then we will take the bar into confidence first. We will see hardships faced by lawyers and litigants, if we get a proposal, then we will do something. I will meet office-bearers in the evening and take some steps,” the CJI said.

The national capital is reeling under poor air quality for the last few weeks, and the air quality was recorded in the “very poor” category on Wednesday morning, with an AQI reading of 335.