New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Delhi government to decide on the year-round ban on firecrackers in Delhi before November 25. The Delhi government’s lawyer had told the court that they would decide to implement the firecracker ban throughout the year after consulting all the concerned departments.
The bench of Justice Abhay Oak and Justice Augustine George Masih in the Supreme Court told the Delhi Police, “Delhi Police has not implemented the ban seriously.”
The court said that the Delhi Police Commissioner should create a special cell to ban firecrackers. The Delhi government was directed to decide on a permanent ban on firecrackers before November 25.
During the hearing, the bench said that no religion encourages any such activity that causes pollution. If firecrackers are burnt in this way, it also affects the fundamental right of health of citizens. Living in a pollution-free environment is a fundamental right which should not be denied in any situation, noted bench.
The court expressed dissatisfaction over the way the ban on firecrackers was implemented. The bench said that the police did not take seriously the ban order imposed by the Delhi government on October 14. Delhi Police should have informed all the license holders to immediately stop the sale of firecrackers.
The court said that Delhi Police should also immediately inform those institutions which sell firecrackers online. They should stop selling firecrackers within the boundaries of the capital Delhi. The Police Commissioner should ensure that the station in-charge of all local police stations will be responsible for implementing the ban on firecrackers throughout the year.