NEW DELHI, Nov 11: Favouring a perpetual ban, the Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on Delhi police for failing to comprehensively implement the order to ban firecracker in the national capital and called its action to seize just raw materials as a mere “eyewash.”
A Bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to immediately inform all the stakeholders concerned about the ban order and ensure no sale and manufacture of crackers.
“We direct Delhi Police Commissioner to form a special cell to ensure effective implementation of the ban on firecrackers. We direct Delhi Police Commissioner to file a personal affidavit putting on record the steps taken by them to enforce ban,” it said.
The Supreme Court wondered why the Delhi government delayed issuing the ban order till October 14. “The right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. Prima facie, we are of the view that no religion promotes any activity that promotes pollution or compromises with health of the people,” remarked the Bench.
The Supreme Court further asked the Delhi Government to decide before November 25 on a “perpetual” firecracker ban after consulting stakeholders.
(Manas Dasgupta)