The Delhi High Court has refused to entertain a plea seeking exemption for lawyers in the odd-even car rule that is set to be implemented from January 1, 2016 for 15 days.

The HC also sought a response from the Delhi government on a plea challenging the exemption to two-wheelers and women driving alone in the odd-even car rule. The court has asked the Delhi govt to file a response by January 6.

The Delhi government has received representations from traders, lawyers and doctors seeking exemption from the rule. While the demands made by the lawyers were rejected by the AAP government, the government is yet to decide on whether to allow exemptions for doctors and traders.


In their representation, the traders said that the odd-even formula for vehicles would prove detrimental to local trade in Delhi as they would not be able to carry major sums of cash using public transport.


The lawyers on the other hand, sought exception from the rule, saying that bail applications for clients are a matter of life and death for the undertrials and as such the rule would limit their movement and appearance in court thereby denying the undertrials legal recourse. They also threatened to go on strike if their demands are not met.


At the same time, in their petition, the doctors said that their priority is to attend to patients and that the rule would prevent the doctors from going about their duties.

The Delhi government has not yet taken any decision on the petitions filed by these three professional communities.

According to the notification issued on December 28, 2015, for the odd-even rule will come into effect from January 1 and will be in force till January 15.