Delhi HC exempts NCR lawyers, staff from BS-VI vehicle ban

The Delhi High Court on Friday, 6 November 2026, exempted advocates and judicial staff residing in the National Capital Region (NCR) from the winter ban on non-BS-VI vehicles registered outside Delhi. Justice Amit Mahajan passed the order on a plea by the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA). The exemption applies only on court working days.

The restriction, imposed by a notification dated 23 June 2026 from the Delhi government's Environment Department, prohibits vehicles registered outside Delhi and below BS-VI standards from plying in the capital between 1 November 2026 and 31 January 2027. The notification already allows the department to exempt specific categories of vehicles. Senior Advocate N Hariharan, also DHCBA president, argued that lawyers perform essential judicial functions and that their inability to reach court could prejudice litigants. The DHCBA proposed a regulated exemption allowing each eligible advocate to use one nominated vehicle, subject to identity and pollution certificate verification. A detailed order is awaited.