Delhi Government Assures High Court: School Sports to Conclude Before Peak Pollution Months

Delhi High Court’s Decision on Outdoor Sports Amid Pollution Concerns

The Delhi High Court recently addressed a plea concerning the scheduling of outdoor sporting events during the peak pollution months in the city. The plea, filed under the case Nysa Bedi Vs Government of Delhi, sought directives to prevent outdoor sports during the winter season, when pollution levels are notoriously high.

Contents

In response, the Delhi Government’s Department of Education (DoE) issued a new circular. According to this directive, the Delhi State School Games (DSSG) are scheduled to conclude by October, ahead of the winter months when air quality typically deteriorates.

Legal Proceedings and Government’s Response

Advocate Harshita Nathrani, representing the Delhi government, informed the court that the government has submitted an affidavit and issued a fresh circular to address the petitioner’s concerns. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma acknowledged these measures and decided to close the petition.

The petitioners, a group of minor schoolchildren, argued that the annual sports calendar should be structured to avoid outdoor events during periods of severe air pollution. They highlighted that scheduling such events in winter compels students to engage in physical activities in hazardous air conditions, infringing on their fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 21A of the Indian Constitution.

Advocates’ Role and Court’s Conclusion

Earlier in the year, the Delhi government’s standing counsel, Sameer Vashisht, had expressed challenges in altering the sports calendar. However, during the recent hearing, Senior Advocate Shyel Trehan, representing the students, welcomed the revised schedule from the DoE. Trehan emphasized the health risks posed by forcing children to participate in sports when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is dangerously high.

Trehan expressed satisfaction with the new schedule, stating, “I am very happy to see this. This is what the children came for. This is a positive step.” Justice Sharma, recognizing this development, decided to dispose of the matter, effectively closing the petition.

A team of advocates, including Manjira Dasgupta, Bhargav Ravindran Thali, Rohan Poddar, Mayank Khaitan, and Vidhi Jain, represented the petitioners, while Advocate Harshita Nathrani appeared for the Department of Education.

The decision marks a significant step towards addressing pollution-related health concerns for schoolchildren in Delhi, ensuring that sports events are concluded well before the onset of the city’s most polluted months.