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The Supreme Court of India has expressed deep concern over the alarmingly high pollution levels in Delhi during the Diwali festival. The court specifically criticized the ineffective implementation of its orders mandating a ban on firecrackers in the national capital. This lack of enforcement led to a significant violation of the court's directives, a situation the bench found unacceptable.
The Supreme Court's bench, composed of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih, pointed to newspaper reports highlighting widespread disregard for the firecracker ban. In light of this, the bench sought a comprehensive response from the Delhi government regarding the rationale behind the ongoing ban on firecrackers in the city. This move signals the court's intention to hold the government accountable for its failure to effectively enforce the ban.
The court issued a direct order to both the Delhi government and the city's police force to provide detailed information on the steps they have taken to fully implement the firecracker ban. This included a demand for specifics on actions taken against those who violated the ban and an outline of ongoing strategies to ensure compliance. The court's urgency was evident in its request for an immediate response from the Delhi government to explain the reasons behind the widespread disregard for the ban.
The Supreme Court firmly asserted that there was no room for ambiguity regarding the implementation of its orders. The bench highlighted the significant role of firecrackers in exacerbating air pollution during Diwali and warned that the lack of enforcement could lead to a severe and chaotic situation. The court emphasized that the orders banning the manufacture, sale, and use of firecrackers were not optional; they were absolute and must be strictly adhered to.
The bench further directed the Delhi government and the police commissioner to submit their responses within a week's time. The matter will be revisited on November 14th for further hearings regarding the compliance of the court's directives. The Supreme Court's strong stance on this issue underscores the seriousness of the air pollution problem in Delhi and its determination to hold authorities accountable for failing to adequately address it.
Source: SC expresses concern over Delhi's pollution level on Diwali, says firecracker ban hardly implemented