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Justice DY Chandrachud today while hearing the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding alarming levels of air pollution in Delhi expressed his concern about school going children in Delhi being exposed to pollution, pandemic and dengue at the same time while quoting Dr.Guleria.

Nikhil Jain, advocate, appearing for the petitioner pointed our that the Air Quality Index (AQI) which was 84 on September 30 has now become 474, the PM 10 has increased by 500 points, the PM 7 has increased by 390.  He suggested that this increase might be because of stubble burning and requested the scientist from PUSA look into a cost effective mechanism for this problem.

Justice Chandrachud further spoke of how the lungs of school going children will be affected if the situation persists and informed , Rahul Mehra, the counsel representing Delhi Government that this was not in centre’s jurisdiction but in the jurisdiction of Delhi Government.

Mehra, informed the court that he will seek instructions from the government in this regard by Monday. He further told the court that the government is aware of the fact that the situation in Delhi is like smoking 20 cigarettes a day while the people are merely breathing.

A 17 year old college student Aditya Dubey had in 2020 filed a Public Interest Litigation regarding alarming levels of air pollution in Delhi. The case was listed today in view of an application filed by the petitioners asking the court to pass appropriate orders in the light of excessive levels of air pollution in Delhi at present.

The Supreme Court today asked the Central Government to come up with measures immediately to curb air pollution in Delhi.

The case will now be heard on 15th of November.

Case Title: Aditya Dubey Vs Union of India