The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has approached the Supreme Court administration seeking intervention over the restrictions on vehicles that do not conform to BS-VI emission standards in Delhi, citing the difficulties the move could cause for advocates commuting to the Supreme Court.
In a letter dated October 31, 2026, addressed to the Secretary General of the Supreme Court, SCBA Honorary Secretary Pragya Baghel requested that the matter be taken up with the Delhi Government and the concerned authorities to grant appropriate exemptions or relaxations to advocates travelling to the Supreme Court, particularly those residing in neighbouring States.
The letter refers to the restriction on non-BS-VI-compliant vehicles registered outside Delhi from entering Delhi, which is scheduled to take effect from November 1, 2026.
The SCBA pointed out that a large number of advocates practising before the Supreme Court commute daily from Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram and other neighbouring areas of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Many advocates, particularly junior lawyers, depend on their personal vehicles to attend court proceedings and discharge their professional responsibilities.
The Bar Association stated that the proposed restrictions would cause considerable hardship to members of the Bar and could potentially disrupt the smooth administration of justice.
It further submitted that the Supreme Court, through its earlier orders, had permitted the use of vehicles conforming to earlier emission standards, subject to prescribed conditions.
"Advocates are an integral and indispensable part of the administration of justice, and any restriction affecting their daily commute to the Supreme Court would have a direct bearing on the effective discharge of their professional obligations," the letter stated.
The SCBA urged the Supreme Court Registry to take up the issue with the Delhi Government and the concerned authorities to explore suitable exemptions or relaxations for advocates who need to travel to the Supreme Court.
Earlier, the Delhi High Court Bar Association had also sought a similar relaxation.
The restriction is part of the Delhi Government's winter pollution-control measures aimed at curbing vehicular emissions, which contribute to the national capital's recurring air pollution crisis. Under the rules, vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not comply with BS-VI emission standards will be prohibited from entering the city from November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027, subject to specified exemptions for vehicles such as those running on compressed natural gas (CNG) and electricity, as well as emergency service vehicles