The Delhi High Court's decision to exempt lawyers and court staff from restrictions on certain older vehicles has sparked political and public debate, with Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra questioning the order's legality and Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das accusing the judiciary of avoiding accountability.

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The controversy began after the Delhi High Court, on Friday, granted relief to lawyers and court employees using vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet the BS-VI emission standards. The exemption applies to days when courts are functioning. 

Reacting to a news report on the decision, Moitra shared a screenshot on X and questioned the exemption's legal basis.

‘How is this legal? Has the Delhi High Court completely lost the plot?’ she wrote.

Reposting her remarks, SauravDas also criticised the decision, arguing that the judiciary had repeatedly placed itself beyond the scope of accountability and transparency.

‘Courts have been doing this for years. They have kept themselves completely insulated from accountability and transparency. This is just another step in that direction. Equality before the law is now RIP!’ he wrote.

The remarks sparked a debate on X, with users expressing differing views. While some supported the criticism of the judiciary, others questioned Moitra and Das for targeting the court over its decision.

Why did Delhi High Court grant lawyers exemption from the vehicle ban?

Justice Amit Mahajan passed the order while hearing a petition filed by the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA).

The association had sought an exemption for lawyers living in the National Capital Region (NCR) who travel to Delhi for professional and judicial work in their legally registered vehicles.

DHCBA president and senior advocate N Hariharan argued that several lawyers commute to Delhi's courts from Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida and Ghaziabad. He maintained that restricting their vehicles would make it difficult for many legal professionals to attend court proceedings.

‘How can there be a complete ban? We are doing judicial work. If half of us cannot come here, how will the courts function?’ he argued.

The association acknowledged the importance of tackling air pollution and the government's authority to regulate vehicular emissions. However, it maintained that an exemption was necessary to ensure the judicial system continued functioning without interruption.

What is Delhi's old vehicle restriction?

The Delhi government announced on June 23 that vehicles registered outside the national capital and not meeting BS-VI emission standards would be barred from entering the city between November 1 and January 31.

The restriction was introduced to curb vehicular pollution and improve air quality in the national capital.

The High Court's latest order provides relief to lawyers and court staff, but the exemption applies only on days when courts are open.