Supreme Court : said on Monday that a suit pertaining to Delhi-NCR’s deteriorating air pollution levels would be heard on December 17.

A bench made up of Chief Justice Surya Kant, justices Joymalya Bagchi, and Vipul M. Pamcholi noted the arguments made by senior advocate Aprajita Singh, who is supporting it as an amicus curiae, that while preventive measures are in place, the main problem is that the authorities are not implementing them well.

Singh said that the authorities do not follow the established norms unless this court gives an order.

“A bench of three judges will hear this on Wednesday. That will be brought up,” the CJI said.

Another attorney mentioned a case concerning children’s health and said that schools continue to host outdoor sports events in defiance of previous directives.

“Schools have discovered methods and means to hold these athletic events in contravention of this court’s decision. It’s happening. The amicus also said that the Commission for Air Quality Management, or CAQM, was once again referencing the court’s ruling.

“Since we are aware of the issue, we may provide directives that can be followed. Certain instructions may be enforced by force. People in these big cities have their own way of living. However, the CJI said, “the poor.”

The impoverished laborers suffer the most, according to the amicus.

The court had previously said that the plea against air pollution could not be considered a “customary” matter that would only be published in the winter.

It had said that the case will be heard twice a month in order to identify both immediate and long-term answers to the threat.

With an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 498, which is in the upper range of the “severe” category, Delhi was suffocated by a dense layer of pollution on Monday.

Two stations had “very poor” air quality, while 38 stations had “severe” air pollution.

Out of all 40 stations, Jahangirpuri had the poorest air quality, with an AQI of 498.

The Central Pollution Control Board defines “good” as having an AQI of 0 to 50, “satisfactory” as 51 to 100, “moderate” as 101 to 200, “poor” as 201 to 300, “very poor” as 301 to 400, and “severe” as 401 to 500.

Due to feeble winds and low temperatures trapping pollutants near the surface, Delhi’s AQI reached 461 on Sunday, making it the city’s most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality day ever recorded.