New Delhi, Nov 17: The Supreme Court on Wednesday took exception to the manner in which television debates, particularly on legal and court related issues are conducted, stating that such TV debates are causing more air pollution than anything else (Aditya Dubey v. Union of India).
A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana was hearing the case filed by a 17-year-old Delhi student relating to air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas when the CJI quipped how even a small observation from the Court is often turned into a controversial issue, reports Bar and Bench.
“You want to use some issue, make us observe and then make it controversial and then only blame game will remain. Debates in TV is creating more pollution than everyone else,” the CJI said.
The remark came in response to Delhi government counsel Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi’s arguments on how the Central government’s figures about contribution of crop stubble burning by farmers to air pollution in the national capital
During the hearing of the matter on Wednesday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta raised issued with television debates which claimed that he had misled the top court on the contribution of stubble burning to air pollution.
The Court however made it clear that it has not been misled.
“We were not misled at all. You said 10 percent but it was pointed out in the affidavit that it was 30 to 40 percent,” said Justice Chandrachud.
“These kind of criticisms keep happening. Our conscience is clear and we work for betterment of society,” the CJI also weighed in.
Mehta then proceeded to tell the Court about the directions the Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas has issued to the States to improve air quality index.
Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi representing the Delhi government told the Court that said that the Centre’s figures on stubble burning’ contribution says that it varies from 0 to 58 percent.
“Possibly Mr Mehta has taken a four or six month average (to arrive at 10 percent),” Dr. Singhvi said.
“Our focus is on how to reduce pollution. You are raising issues which are not important. Why are you raising these issues again and again,” the CJI demanded.
“We are not blaming anyone.. both figures are of Centre,” Dr. Singhvi said.
“We don’t want to penalise farmers. We have requested States to persuade the farmers to not burn stubble. Why are you again and again raising this,” the CJI reiterated.
He then said that the Court’s observation is turned into a controversy so that blame game (possibly between States and Centre) can start.
