The Supreme Court of India on Thursday refused to immediately hear a plea seeking virtual hearings in all Delhi courts to help save fuel.

The matter was mentioned before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who said such decisions should be taken by the High Courts and not through judicial orders by the Supreme Court.

“It may not be appropriate to issue directions on the judicial side. I have already requested the Chief Justices. Most have already implemented it. It has to be voluntary by both the Bar and the Bench,” the CJI said.

The lawyer appearing in the case said the plea was filed in the “national interest” and sought virtual hearings in all Delhi district courts to reduce fuel use.

However, the CJI said district courts are controlled administratively by High Courts, and they should decide the issue.

“District Courts are under High Courts. Let them take a call,” he said.

Recently, the Supreme Court itself introduced measures encouraging virtual hearings on some working days as part of the government’s fuel-saving efforts amid the ongoing West Asia crisis linked to the US-Iran conflict.

Later, after concerns raised by lawyers, the Court clarified that advocates who cannot appear virtually due to unavoidable reasons can still appear physically.