Overview

• Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran issued the directions during a suo motu hearing focused on vacancies in pollution regulators.
• CAQM, CPCB and state pollution control boards must file concrete preventive measures within three weeks ahead of the winter pollution spike.
• Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab were ordered to fill vacancies in their boards within three months, with six months granted for promotional posts.
• The court challenged blanket immunity for farmers burning stubble and urged consideration of penal provisions, saying jailings could deter repeat violations.
• The bench cautioned that inadequate manpower undermines enforcement during peak seasons and pressed for practical measures rather than ad hoc prohibitions.