The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has written to Delhi Lieutenant Governor seeking exemption for judges, lawyers and court staff from the proposed ban on vehicles not conforming to BS-VI emission standards, which is scheduled to come into effect from November 01.

In a letter dated October 30, DHCBA President, Senior Advocate N Hariharan urged the Lieutenant Governor to intervene in the matter and exempt members of the legal fraternity from the restrictions.

The letter states that the Delhi Government has proposed to prohibit vehicles not meeting BS-VI standards from plying on Delhi roads from November 01.

The Delhi Police Traffic Department has also been authorised to impound such vehicles found operating within the national capital, it states.

The Association pointed out that BS-VI emission standards were introduced in Delhi in 2020, while vehicles complying with earlier emission standards have been permitted by the Transport Department and the Supreme Court to operate for their prescribed lifespans of up to 10 years for diesel vehicles and 15 years for petrol vehicles.

Highlighting that a large number of lawyers commute to Delhi from neighbouring cities such as Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad, the Association said that housing in Delhi has become an expensive proposition even for several advocates, judges and court staff.

It further submitted that members of the legal fraternity cater to the essential service of administration of justice and, therefore, should be exempted from the restrictions imposed under the proposed vehicle ban.

The Association has accordingly sought the Lieutenant Governor's intervention in the matter.