Delhi Air Pollution: SC pulls up Delhi govt, police commissioner for not implementing firecracker ban — ‘Strict action…’

The Supreme Court on Monday reprimanded authorities over rampant violations of the firecracker ban in Delhi during Diwali. The top court pulled up local authorities amid rising pollution levels in the national capital that are nearing the ‘severe’ mark.

The apex court sought a response from the Delhi government and police commissioner over non-compliance with court orders. On November 4, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih ascertained that the government's restrictions on bursting firecrackers were totally non-compliant, citing newspaper reports.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Archana Pathak Dave flagged that there was absolute non-compliance with firecracker restrictions during Diwali festivities this year.

The Supreme Court bench observed that firecrackers were being brought into the captal city from neighbouring states. "People are bringing firecrackers from other states. There has to be a public campaign before Diwali, lack of public understanding," the SC bench observed.

The court has asked the authorities to respond within a week about the steps taken to implement the firecracker ban.

Furthermore, the top court questioned the Punjab and Haryana governments and directed them to respond to the rise in farm fire incidents during the last 10 days of October.

What SC said

— The firecracker ban was hardly implemented.

— Some strict action, such as sealing of premises, is needed against those violating the firecracker ban in Delhi.

— The Punjab and Haryana governments to respond to the rise in farm fire incidents during the last 10 days of October.

— We need to do something so that court orders banning firecrackers are not violated during Diwali next year.

Advocate HS Phoolka informed that the hearing of the ‘violation of firecracker ban’ will be held on November 11. “The Supreme Court has taken very seriously the fact that the ban on bursting firecrackers during Diwali has not been implemented,” ANI quoted HS Phoolka as saying. 

The advocate said, considering the gravity of the situation, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the police commissioner and asked him to file an affidavit explaining why the ban was not implemented.

According to the Bar and Bench report, the apex court will review the Diwali-related pollution issue again on November 14.