Delhi High Court Exempts Lawyers From Winter Vehicle Ban

The Delhi High Court exempted lawyers and court staff residing in the National Capital Region from a winter ban on vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards. Justice Amit Mahajan issued the order on November 6, 2026, ruling that the exemption applies specifically on court working days.

The original restriction was issued by the Government of NCT of Delhi's Department of Environment and Forests on June 23, 2026. The ban, effective from November 1 to January 31, prohibits non-BS-VI outside vehicles from entering the capital to combat seasonal air pollution.

The ruling followed a petition by the Delhi High Court Bar Association, which argued that the blanket ban hindered the administration of justice. Advocates commuting from neighboring cities such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, and Ghaziabad reported that the restrictions prevented them from performing professional duties and attending judicial functions. The court's decision seeks to balance the state's authority to regulate emissions with the necessity of ensuring litigants have timely access to legal representation.