The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Delhi government to take a decision on firecrackers in Delhi for the year before November 25. The Delhi government's lawyer told the court that we will take a decision to enforce the ban on firecrackers for the entire year after discussing with all concerned departments.
A Supreme Court bench of Justice Abhay Oak and Justice Augustine George Masih told the Delhi Police, “The restrictions have not been strictly enforced by the Delhi Police.”
The court said that the Delhi Police Commissioner should create a special cell to ban crackers. The Delhi government has been directed to take a decision on the permanent ban on firecrackers before November 25.
Supreme Court 3 comments in today's hearing
1. Fundamental right to breathe clean air: During the hearing, the bench said that no religion promotes any activity that causes pollution. If crackers are burst like this, it also affects the basic right of citizens to health. Living in a pollution free environment is a fundamental right.
2. Delhi Police is not serious: The court expressed displeasure over the manner in which the ban on firecrackers was enforced. The bench said that the Delhi government's ban order on October 14 was not taken seriously by the police. Delhi Police should inform all licensees to stop sale of firecrackers immediately.
3. Police station in-charge responsible for enforcement of ban: The court said that the Delhi Police should immediately inform the organizations that sell firecrackers online. They should stop selling firecrackers within the capital Delhi limits. The Commissioner of Police should ensure that station in-charges of all local police stations are responsible for enforcing the ban on firecrackers throughout the year.
The last hearing asked what action the police took?
The Supreme Court had also questioned the police action during the last hearing on the ban on firecrackers. The court asked the Delhi government and the Delhi Police how the ban on firecrackers was enforced. The court also expressed concern over reports that said pollution in Delhi was at an all-time high.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
