Supreme Court Denies Urgent PIL on Air Pollution Crisis

The Supreme Court declined Wellness expert Luke Christopher Coutinho's plea addressing India's growing air pollution crisis, advising intervention in a related ongoing case. The plea deemed the situation a 'public health emergency,' urging binding measures under the National Clean Air Programme, highlighting inadequate progress and severe public health impacts.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by wellness expert Luke Christopher Coutinho concerning India's escalating air pollution emergency. The court advised the petitioner to join an existing case filed by environmentalist M C Mehta for a more comprehensive approach.

Coutinho had filed the plea on October 24, claiming a 'public health emergency' scenario, with the current pollution levels breaching constitutional rights to life and health under Article 21. The plea demanded the declaration of the situation as a national public health emergency and called for a time-bound national action plan.

Citing the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)'s limited success since its 2019 initiation, the plea urged that its targets be given statutory force, enforceable penalties, and timelines. The exposed risks include severe health impacts on schoolchildren and critical flaws in air monitoring systems. Immediate reforms, such as curbing crop residue burning and phasing out polluting vehicles, were also suggested.

(With inputs from agencies.)