Supreme Court: Expresses Firecracker Sales Delhi Concern

• The Supreme Court recently expressed concern over a newspaper report detailing the open sale of various firecrackers in Delhi markets.
• This alleged widespread availability contradicts the Court's pre-Diwali restrictions on firecracker sales and use.
• Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale instructed Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to investigate the reported violations.
• An earlier order on November 2 permitted the sale of certified green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR from November 4-6 and their use on November 7-8 during specific morning and evening hours.
• The Court had mandated that only CSIR-NEERI and PESO certified firecrackers could be manufactured and sold, with a complete ban resuming from November 9.

The Supreme Court's direct intervention underscores a significant concern regarding the widespread disregard for its directives, particularly concerning the sale of unauthorized firecrackers in the capital.

The Supreme Court recently voiced significant apprehension regarding the unrestricted availability of diverse firecrackers across Delhi markets, directly referencing a newspaper report that highlighted these alleged breaches. On Tuesday, a bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale specifically cited an article published in the Hindustan Times, which depicted the open sale of these items despite judicial restrictions put in place before the Diwali festivities. This development signals a clear Supreme Court firecracker sales Delhi concern, indicating that prior directives may not be adequately enforced or observed.

Justice Sundresh explicitly drew attention to the report's photographic evidence and its assertion that, contrary to recent court orders, a full spectrum of firecrackers remained accessible in shops. He urged Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to investigate these reported Delhi firecracker ban violations. Further elaborating on the newspaper's findings, Justice Sundresh noted the report's claim that "every other cracker," irrespective of whether it was licensed, unlicensed, or bore a QR code, was readily available for purchase, underscoring the perceived widespread non-compliance.

The Court's current concern follows a specific set of directives issued on November 2, which outlined the permissible scope for Supreme Court Diwali firecrackers. This earlier order had allowed for the sale of only certified green firecrackers within the Delhi-National Capital Region (Delhi-NCR) for a limited period, specifically from November 4 to November 6. The subsequent use of these green firecrackers Delhi-NCR was restricted to November 7 and November 8, subject to stringent time constraints.

Under these firecracker restrictions Delhi November, bursting was permitted solely between 6 AM and 7 AM, and again from 8 PM to 10 PM on the designated usage days. Furthermore, the Supreme Court had unequivocally stipulated that only firecrackers bearing certification from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) were authorized for both manufacture and sale. A complete prohibition on firecrackers was mandated to recommence from November 9, reinforcing the temporary and highly regulated nature of the allowance.

The Supreme Court's proactive engagement, particularly through Justice MM Sundresh firecrackers related comments, highlights the judiciary's commitment to upholding its environmental and public health mandates. By directly addressing a media report and instructing the Additional Solicitor General to investigate, the Court signals that alleged Delhi firecracker ban violation will not be overlooked. This judicial scrutiny is crucial for ensuring that its orders, designed to mitigate pollution and health risks, are taken seriously by authorities and the public alike.

This ongoing oversight serves as a critical reminder to all stakeholders, from manufacturers and distributors to retailers, that compliance with environmental regulations, especially concerning firecracker sales and usage, is non-negotiable. The Court's willingness to intervene based on media reports demonstrates a robust judicial mechanism for monitoring adherence to its directives, reinforcing the importance of strict compliance with the specified types, sale periods, and usage timings for firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region. The Supreme Court's direct intervention underscores a significant concern regarding the widespread disregard for its directives, particularly concerning the sale of unauthorized firecrackers in the capital.

Lawyers advising clients involved in the manufacture, distribution, or sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR must ensure strict compliance with the Supreme Court's orders, particularly regarding certified green firecrackers and sale timings, as the Court is actively monitoring and flagging alleged violations, which could lead to enforcement actions.

Source: Original reporting via Hindustan Times