The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a petition seeking a nationwide, eco-friendly mechanism for collecting, segregating, disposing of and recycling used advocate bands in all courts.

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran heard the petitioner—appearing in person—who identified herself as a lawyer’s spouse. She stated that during the Diwali recess she noticed numerous discarded advocate bands, allegedly made of non-biodegradable fabric, and argued that their continued use was adding to environmental pollution and warranted regulation.

The CJI, however, was not persuaded. Reacting to the submission, he remarked that by the same reasoning, the Court would then have to regulate common personal items as well. “Then we should monitor the use of handkerchiefs,” the CJI observed.

Concluding that no case was made out, the bench declined to proceed further. “Dismissed,” the CJI said.

Case: Sakshi Vijay v. Union of India & Ors., WP(C) 1058/2025