Pollution Case In SC Adjourned On A Humorous Note

Hearing on a petition seeking countrywide ban on crackers got adjourned on a humorous note.

When the matter was called at 10:45 AM, the juniors of advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan who is arguing for petitioner kids Arjun Gopal and others sought a pass over as the senior was not available then.

When the case was again called at 1PM, it was the turn of the juniors of opposite party to seek another pass over.

They said the matter may be taken up “end of the board” (post lunch) as their senior who will argue the matter was busy in another courtroom.

Justice A K Sikri who is heading the bench said. “I am sick. I am sitting in court though I am sick. This is the problem. We can have it another day not today”.

Advocate Sankararayanan (in a lighter vein hinting at a series of measures he is suggesting to get rid of pollution) “I am offering solutions” (for not falling sick). This raised peals of laughter in the courtroom.

Lawyer for pollution board Vijay Panjwani then intervened to say : “Lordship please keep an air purifier”.

Justice Sikri replied (looking at a corner of the courtroom behind him). “Yes we have it here”

Sankaranarayanan has sought a nationwide ban on crackers especially a permanent ban in Delhi

Four kids led by Arjun Gopal questioned how huge quantities of firecrackers were burst in Delhi and NCR even after the ban on sale imposed by the apex court.

They also pointed out the thick smog which enveloped Delhi and NCR due to crop burning in adjacent states.

“As far as fireworks are concerned, the conduct of the Delhi Police, the Central Government and the Delhi Government stand out as stark examples of how a complete lack of will and collusion with those who cause pollution can go a long way in attempting to frustrate the noble aims of this Hon’ble Courts orders”, the petition said.

“After this Hon’ble Court’s order dated 9.10.2017 which suspended fireworks licenses forthwith, there was optimism that the parties would observe the outcome of a fireworks-free Diwali and measure the change in pollution levels. The documentation that follows would show the true picture. They are catalogued under the following heads: Comparatively marginal gains in air quality in 2017 as compared to data of 2016. However the levels were nearly 10 times the safe limit because firecrackers were burst in large quantities.”, the petition said.

PRAYER

• Impose a ban on the possession, sale and bursting  of fireworks across the country;


• In the alternative, it is prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to impose a ban on the possession of fireworks anywhere in the NCR;


• Direct the Police Commissioners of the NCR to submit status reports on the quantity of fireworks presently stored in the NCR and to set up a dedicated number to receive complaints of violation of pollution norms;


• Direct the manufacturers to submit complete details of the quantities produced in 2017 along with excise documentation as proof;