The Supreme Court on Monday censured the AAP government and the Delhi police for a "serious lapse" on their part in the strict implementation of GRAP-IV measures and directed the Commission for Air Quality Management to take action against the erring officials.

Deliberating on the issue of sections of society affected by restrictions under the fourth stage of the GRAP – like labourers and daily wage workers involved in construction activity – it said all states must use funds collected as labour cess to provide subsistence to them.

Without being “satisfied that there is a consistent downward trend of AQI, we cannot permit the Commission to go down to stage 3 or stage 2,” the Supreme Court bench said on GRAP measures.

The Supreme Court has urged the Commission for Air Quality Management to consider easing restrictions for educational institutions under the harsh GRAP-IV norms. Acknowledging student disadvantages, the court emphasized pressing welfare measures for affected communities,

The Supreme Court also observed that the Delhi government did not properly follow Group 4 guidelines between November 18 and 23. The court said that appropriate steps were not taken to stop trucks from coming to Delhi.

SC raps authorities for poor monitoring of GRAP IV restrictions; directs states to use labour cess to pay subsistence for affected labourers and daily wagers

On Monday morning, Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 334, Ashok Vihar at 312, Bawana at 322, Chandni Chowk at 244, Dwarka at 297, IGI Airport at 260, Jahangirpuri at 323, Mundka at 340, Narela at 311, Patparganj at 287,

Whatever the causes of the smog, by one ranking Delhi was not just the most polluted city in the world, but “nearly five times as bad as the second most polluted city, Dhaka,” in Bangladesh next door, as Shashi Tharoor, a leader of the opposition in Parliament and best-selling author, posted on X.

Delhi's AQI was 318 on Sunday evening. Supreme Court had ordered the Delhi government not to relax GRAP IV restrictions without its permission

The Supreme Court on Monday (25 November) ordered the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to review its decision to close schools in Delhi-NCR, particularly for Classes 10 to 12, in light of concerns over access to mid-day meals and air quality at home.

The Supreme Court criticized the AAP government and Delhi police for neglecting GRAP-IV implementation, citing a lack of effort in enforcing measures and insufficient deployment of police at entry points.