A division bench, comprising Justice Y.K. Sabharwal and Justice K.S. Gupta, issued the notices on a petition alleging that human hair was being burnt in Jwalapuri area by people involved in the sale and purchase of human hair. The petitioner, Movement for Improvement of Landscape Environment and Society (MILES), through counsel Arun Khosla alleged that the burning of human hair was causing serious health hazards to the people living in the area due to the various poisonous gases emitted.

The burning of hair emits ammonia, oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, phosphate and lead which in excess are dangerous for living beings. These could cause paralysis, skin allergy, asthma, infertility and other lung diseases, affect the nervous system and damage organs like the brain, liver, kidneys, muscular system. The petitioners, quoting a study conducted by noted environmentalist Dr Iqal Malik, also submitted that the pollutants posed a danger for pregnant women due to the presence of keratin.

Khosla submitted that every day dozens of trucks unloaded human hair in Jwalapuri. After sorting, the hair was sent to Mumbai and onward to other southeast Asian countries, where it was used for lining of jackets, chemical extraction of keratin and for making cosmetic brushes.

The petitioners submitted that the fumes of burning hair entered homes and made living in the area difficult. They alleged that in connivance with the anti-social elements, the hair traders were not only misusing government land but also creating terror. The DDA and the commissioner of Delhi police, have been asked to file replies by September 23. Counsel for petitioner Khosla said that MILES had approached the authorities seeking redressal of their grievances but because their pleas had fallen on deaf ears they were left with no alternative but to approach the court.

MILES said that people involved in the trade of human hair are burning the waste in connivance with certain unsocial elements and a foul smell pervades the entire area, especially in summer as desert coolers suck the toxic gases right into residential premises.

The petitioners pleaded that the civic bodies and the land owning agency be directed to remove all encroachments and implement the master plan.