Can't allow sale of firecrackers: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court on Monday said it cannot allow the sale of firecrackers when there is already "enough" pollution in the national capital.

The court's verbal observation came while dealing with a petition by the Delhi Fireworks Shopkeepers Association, a group of traders with a "permanent" licence to possess and sell crackers.

The petitioner's counsel said the grievance of the traders was with respect to the ban on the storage of firecrackers as it was allegedly resulting in harassment.

During the hearing, the court said it would ask authorities to seal the traders' premises being used for storage of firecrackers to ensure that there is no pilferage.

"The state must be involved in the sealing process so that there is no pilferage," Justice Sanjeev Narula said. "We are not going to allow you to sell. There is enough pollution in this city," the judge added.

The petitioner's counsel said that even though no crackers were being sold by its members, soon after the ban order, the police started visiting the permanent licensees questioning why they were storing the firecrackers.

The court observed that in one of the instances cited by the petitioner, there was an allegation of someone selling the crackers and said whoever acted in contravention of the law would be prosecuted.

"We can't make an exception for you. If you store them, there is a possibility of (misuse). We will put a seal. It will be videographed," the court said verbally.

The Delhi government on 14 September imposed an immediate ban on the production, storage, sale, and use of all kinds of firecrackers across the city, effective until 1 January.

While making the announcement, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai urged Delhi residents to support the government's efforts to curb air pollution.