CJI Justice Surya Kant raised serious questions on the performance of the Central Government and Delhi administration regarding the pollution issue during the hearing of a PIL.
SNPNEWS.IN News (Gurmail Kamboj): On December 1, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant expressed deep concern over the rising air pollution in Delhi-NCR. During the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court, he asked several sharp questions to the Central Government and sought detailed information on immediate as well as long-term measures to control pollution.
This case is linked to the ongoing matter of senior Supreme Court advocate and environmentalist M.C. Mehta vs Union of India (PIL). The bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Jomlia Bagchi said that pollution cannot be attributed only to stubble burning.
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During the hearing, CJI made a remark that has become the talk of the town:
“Stubble was burned even during Covid, but in those days the sky was blue. Then why not now? It’s an easy way – just blame others and escape responsibility.”
Justice Kant asked this question to make the Centre think about other causes such as vehicles, dust, industries, and construction activities.
The bench also asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) what immediate steps are being taken to curb pollution. The court said that the matter will now not be heard daily, but at least twice every month.
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The joint bench of Justice Surya Kant directed the Centre to submit a report within one week on what effective steps have been taken to control other pollution-causing factors besides stubble burning. He emphasised that this should not be turned into a “political issue or ego issue”.
Earlier in November 2025 also, the CJI had shared his personal experience regarding pollution. He said that after a one-hour morning walk, hSubcribe Our YouTube Channel