SC refuses blanket ban on crackers

NEW DELHI:

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to impose a blanket ban on manufacture, sale and bursting of firecrackers on Deepavali saying it might be dangerous to infringe on the people’s right to observe religious festivals.

It also said there were extant guidelines to tackle the menace of air and noise pollution.

A bench of Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justice Arun Mishra reiterated the guidelines issued in 2005 by the apex court and asked the authorities to implement them, which, among others, allowed bursting of crackers between 6 am and 10 pm.

The court turned down a plea made on behalf of three toddlers aged between 6 and 16 months for a total restriction in view of growing air and sound pollution.

“We cannot say by an interim order that don't burst firecrackers at all. Somebody will say it is my right. Further there are already adequate directives issued in this matter,” the bench told senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the petitioners.

The court also rejected a plea to tweak the 2011 directions in order to ensure bursting of firecrackers only in community grounds.