The Delhi High Court has voiced strong criticism against the lack of action on providing tax exemptions for air purifiers, calling it a failure in an ongoing public health emergency. The court emphasized that access to clean air is a fundamental need that authorities have been unable to guarantee for the city's residents.
Court's Stern Rebuke Over Inaction
A bench of the High Court expressed clear displeasure on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, over the fact that nothing had been done regarding the matter. The judges pointedly stated that every citizen requires fresh air, a basic necessity that the concerned government bodies have consistently failed to provide, especially during severe pollution episodes.
The Core of the Emergency Situation
The court's remarks came during hearings focused on Delhi's deteriorating air quality, which frequently plunges into the 'severe' category. In what the bench termed an 'emergency situation,' the judges questioned the logic behind keeping essential life-saving devices like air purifiers under heavy tax burdens. The implication was that such financial barriers make these devices inaccessible to many when they are needed most for health protection.
Wider Implications for Public Policy
This judicial intervention highlights a significant gap between policy and ground-level public health crises. By stressing the state's duty to ensure breathable air, the court has put the onus on authorities to reconsider fiscal policies on goods deemed critical during environmental health emergencies. The lack of tax relief is seen not just as a financial issue, but as a failure to respond adequately to a recurrent, life-threatening problem affecting millions in the national capital.
The court's strong stance is expected to push for a re-evaluation of how essential anti-pollution equipment is classified and taxed, potentially setting a precedent for other regions facing similar air quality challenges.
