SC refuses to hold early hearing of odd-even petition

The odd-even policy in Delhi was announced by the state government from January 1-15

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to hold an urgent hearing of a plea challenging the Delhi High Court's order allowing, on trial basis, the odd-even policy for private cars for 15 days here.

Declining to hold an early hearing of the plea, the bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur wondered if the plea by a young advocate was a publicity stunt.

Why a young advocate is having difficulty in reaching the court, the court observed. The plea was moved by petetioner advocate B Badrinath.

The odd-even policy, under which private cars with registrations ending in even numbers could ply only on even dates, and vice versa for those with odd-numbered plates, was announced by the state government from January 1-15 after the Delhi High Court said the national capital had turned into a gas chamber.