India’s chief justice has backed a plan to restrict cars on Delhi’s roads and said he would be prepared to take the bus to work, calling on other judges to join, as the world’s most polluted capital tries to clean up its filthy air.
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When a reporter asked whether Supreme Court judges who live on the same street or in the vicinity could share their official cars, the CJI said: “I don’t know what my brother Justice Sikri who lives nearby to me would say, but definitely if a judge can pool cars, it sends a message to the people that we have no problem”.
“We can even think of making ad-hoc appointment to deal with the situation”, he said.
Chief Justice of India T S Thakur today virtually endorsed the AAP government’s odd-even scheme for plying of private vehicles saying it can be followed if it helps in reducing the problem, a statement which was welcomed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Seeking to assuage concerns, Kejriwal said his government would not allow the people to be inconvenienced. “We are capable to protect rights of all citizens cutting across caste, creed and religion”, the CJI said his first interaction with journalists after assuming office. People may call it a sacrifice.
“(His) support to odd-even formula is welcome and a huge encouragement”, Kejriwal tweeted.
In response to a question as to why the Supreme Court or the High Courts did not take suo motu cognizance of recent murders of some writers, he said, “an order of the Supreme Court or the High Court can not stop the crime. Thank u My Lords (sic)”.
The chief justice’s comments came at a time when political parties opposed to Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party – in contrast to environmental experts – have hit out at the Delhi government for announcing a decision which they said would greatly inconvenience the public. “Certain rights are for the citizens and certain rights are for non-citizens also and we are capable of protecting the rights”, Justice Thakur said.
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He also said he would embark on this exercise only after the five-judge constitution bench spells out a transparent procedure of appointing judges.
