SC pulls up Delhi govt for 'hardly implementing' firecracker ban

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed serious concerns over the reported failure to enforce the ban on firecrackers in Delhi.

Observing widespread media coverage about the disregard for this ban, a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih called on the Delhi government for an immediate response, urging it to clarify in a week's time as to why the ban was not effectively implemented.

On November 1, the air quality in Delhi was recorded as "very poor," following a day of heavy firecracker bursting during Diwali celebrations.


However, above-normal temperatures and favorable winds aided in dispersing pollutants. A dense layer of haze covered the national capital, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 362 by 9 am, as residents ignored a citywide ban on firecrackers during the festivities.


"We want all the orders to be placed on record banning the sale, manufacture and bursting of firecrackers in Delhi. We are also issuing notice to the Delhi police commissioner on the action police has taken against the violators and the steps it is taking to implement the orders of the court," the bench said.

The top court, referring to a report of the Centre for Science and Environment, noted it was evident that Diwali in 2024 was warmer than in the previous couple of years, 2022 and 2023.

Punjab and Haryana governments have also been asked to file their responses by November 14 on the rise in farm fires and stubble burning incidents during the last 10 days in October.

"Some strict action is needed for those violating firecrackers ban like sealing of their premises," said the bench, adding that it would "do something" in order to ensure court orders on the firecracker ban were not violated during Diwali, 2025.

What steps the govt had taken?

Delhi authorities had made efforts to enforce a complete ban on firecrackers as the city grapples with hazardous air quality. The Delhi Police and Revenue Department had deployed a combined total of 377 teams to prevent the sale and use of fireworks.

These efforts led to the registration of 79 cases and the confiscation of 19,005 kg of firecrackers.

The ban, which prohibits all types of firecrackers until January 1, 2025, was implemented by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee earlier this month following a sharp decline in air quality after Dussehra.

Adding to concerns, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) warned that emissions from firecrackers and agricultural burning could further deteriorate air quality.

The severity of the situation has prompted authorities to implement Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as of October 22, 2024.