'Should we monitor handkerchief use next? Supreme Court rejects PIL
What's the story
The Supreme Court has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions for a uniform, environmentally friendly mechanism for collecting and disposing of old advocates' bands across the country's courts. A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Vinod Chandran, however, dismissed the plea, saying, "Where should our remit end then? Monitor how handkerchiefs be used? Or regulate garbage issue in villages? ... Where all we should issue writs?"
Environmental impact
Petitioner highlights environmental concerns over band disposal
The petition was filed by Sakshi Vijay, an Associate Professor at Jindal Global Law School. She highlighted the absence of a uniform policy for disposing of these bands, which are made from synthetic, non-biodegradable materials, which take over 200 years to decompose. Vijay stated that she found abandoned synthetic bands lying in a ditch, beside garbage cans, and on the pavement outside the court premises, raising environmental and professional dignity concerns.
Plea dismissal
Petitioner's plea for eco-friendly disposal dismissed
She noted that earlier, advocates used cotton bands which were washed and reused. However, the current synthetic bands are often discarded after one use due to their low cost of ₹10 each. Vijay's petition also argued that the unregulated disposal of these bands violates the right to a clean environment under Article 21. She invoked Articles 48A and 51A(g) to argue that both the government and citizens were constitutionally obliged to adopt sustainable practices.
Court's response
No grounds to proceed: CJI
She sought directions to the Bar Council of India and relevant government ministries to install 'Band Disposal Bins' in all courts. She also requested the creation of a streamlined system for collection, segregation, and recycling, as well as the reuse of shredded bands as fillings for cushions and toys. The court rejected the petition because it found no grounds to proceed. "Dismissed," the CJI stated.