New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has ruled that advocates and judicial staff are permitted to use pre-BS-VI emission standard vehicles for commuting to and from Delhi on court working days through January 31, 2027, provided they display valid identification and appropriate parking credentials.
Justice Amit Mahajan issued the order following a petition submitted by the Delhi High Court Bar Association, which challenged the blanket three-month restriction on non-Delhi-registered vehicles failing to meet BS-VI norms. The bench noted that the physical presence of legal professionals and staff is indispensable for the proper functioning of the judicial system.
The court observed that authorities had not adequately justified why vehicles deemed acceptable prior to November suddenly presented severe pollution concerns, nor had they shown that alternative transit options were being provided for commuting legal personnel. The judge pointed out that assisting judicial proceedings constitutes an essential duty.
The Delhi government had previously announced a ban on non-BS-VI vehicles registered outside the capital effective from November 1 through January 31, citing seasonal air quality deterioration. In response, the Bar Association argued that restricting advocates traveling from neighboring regions like Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, and Ghaziabad infringed upon the constitutional right of access to justice.
Under the interim relief granted by the court, vehicles bearing valid parking stickers issued by any recognized Bar Association in Delhi are exempt from the transit restriction on working days, provided the occupants present valid professional identification. The court has directed both the central and city governments to submit formal responses and scheduled the matter for further hearing in January.