The Supreme Court on Thursday denied a petition by BJP MP Manoj Tiwari that asked for an expedited hearing on a case that challenged the Delhi government’s complete ban on firecrackers.
“Let people breathe clean air… spend your money on sweets,” the apex court said.
The Delhi High Court declined to hear a plea earlier in the day that contested the Delhi Pollution Control Committee’s (DPCC) total ban on the sale and usage of all firecrackers, citing the ongoing Supreme Court cases involving firecrackers.
The petitioners had said the “last-minute ban” imposed by the DPCC on September 14 was arbitrary and illegal, and adversely affects their livelihood.
Gopal Rai, the environment minister for Delhi, stated the day before that manufacturing, keeping, and selling firecrackers in the nation’s capital is illegal and punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and three years in prison.
Additionally, purchasing and setting off firecrackers would result in a $200 fine and a six-month prison sentence.
These actions are intended to reduce air pollution during the festive season, when the quality of the air drastically declines.