Bombay HC's Go Green Initiative Under Review?

Bombay High Court lawyers have advocated for the revocation of the single-use plastic ban on the court campus, addressing a letter to the Chief Justice of Bombay HC, urging the adoption of a more pragmatic approach.

The letter arises out of a circular issued on July 24, 2024 which was issued to prohibit the possession of "single-use plastic bottles and bags" within the High Court, in a bid to reduce plastic waste.

The signatories have contended that the ban has had an counterproductive impact and have caused significant difficulties for litigants, lawyers, and visitors.

It states that, “This rule, while undoubtedly well intentioned, has caused significant hardship to litigants, lawyers, peons, clerks and other visitors to the premises, and may in fact be counterproductive: a. It is observed that individuals entering the court premises (including senior citizens, and litigants who have undertaken a long journey to come to the High Court) are being forced to discard “single-use” plastic bottles, citing the aforementioned ban.”

The letter also highlights the lack of widespread awareness of such a rule as there is no such notice mentioned on the High Court website or at its gates to inform visitors about the new restriction.

Further, the letter also points out the irony of rule, where the confiscation of water bottles at the High Court gates leads to hundreds of bottles being collected and discarded each day has led to an increase in plastic waste at the High Court.

Additionally, the letter also raises concerns about insufficient safe drinking water at the court, with outdoor filters exposed to contaminants and no safety information. The only bottled water, sold at ₹50 for 300 ml at the Bombay Bar Association, is unaffordable for most visitors.

Ultimately, the signatories have requested that:

“ A. The ban on possession of single use plastic bottles be revoked;

b. Steps be taken at the earliest to make free, potable drinking water easily available on the High Court premises (with adequate, multilingual signage to direct people to such water sources). This could be ensured by installing multiple, regularly serviced water coolers on each floor of the High Court (with effective covers/protection to prevent external contamination)."

Representation Letter addressed to Bombay HC CJ.