Uttarakhand High Court Bans Storage, Sale Of Fire Crackers In Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan For Safety Of Residents

The Uttarakhand High Court today directed the state authorities to forthwith stop the storage or retail sale of firecrackers in the Ramlila maidan area of Haldwani in the Nainital district in view of the grave danger to the life and property of the residents of the area.

The bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice R. C. Khulbe has directed the District Magistrate of Nainital District to immediately locate an appropriate place where the storing and retail sale of fire crackers can be shifted in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer.

Essentially, the bench was dealing with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea preferred by one Lalit Mohan Singh Negi pointing out that firecrackers sellers have set up their go-downs and retail shops in the Ramlila ground in Haldwani, which is falling in a highly congested area.

It was further submitted that no action had been taken in this regard despite the fact that the Chief Fire Officer has already written to the DM indicating that the grant of licenses for setting up of firecrackers shop and go-downs in the said area is not proper and not in accordance with the rules.

The petitioner also referred to the communication dated October 12, 2022, and October 13, 2022, that was issued by the Chief Fire Officer to the District Magistrate.

Taking into account the concerns of the petitioner and the submissions made therein, the Court directed the District Magistrate to immediately locate an appropriate place where the storing and retail sale of firecrackers can be shifted in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer so as to avert any danger to the life and property of the residents of the area

 With this, the matter was listed for further hearing on October 22, 2022.

Case title - LALIT MOHAN SINGH NEGI v. STATE OF UTTARAKHAND AND OTHERS

Click Here To Read/Download