Will consider exempting lawyers in next odd-even scheme: Delhi government

New Delhi, April 26: The Delhi government on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that it will consider exempting lawyers from the odd-even traffic restrictions if the scheme was enforced again in the national capital.

Delhi government counsel Rahul Mehra conveyed this to a division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath.

"The Delhi government said that since the ongoing odd-even scheme is about to expire on April 30, the petitioner's contentions will be considered in case the scheme is implemented again," the bench said after recording Mehra's submission.

On Monday, the bench asked the government to see if there was any possibility of exemption to lawyers from the scheme.

Under the odd-even traffic restrictions, four-wheelers with odd and even registration numbers are to ply on alternate dates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the April 15-30 period.

The scheme is not enforced on Sundays and vehicles that run on compressed natural gas, ambulances and certain categories of VIPs and women drivers are exempted.

The petition filed by Delhi High Court Bar Association president Rajiv Khosla alleged that the April 11 government notification on the fortnight-long odd-even scheme was "arbitrary, illegal, unreasonable and against the spirit of the constitution".

He also challenged the Rs.2,000 fine being slapped for violation of the scheme without amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act.

The plea said the notification was hampering the legal fraternity in carrying out its professional responsibilities in the various courts and tribunals in Delhi.

"It is evident that the said policy has been passed in haste without carrying out studies/research in relation to the work schedule of professionals," Khosla said.

He said, "Lawyers are entitled to be exempted from the application of the odd-even scheme as the lawyers assist the courts in guarding the personal liberty and civil rights of citizens".

IANS