'Won't Interfere With Firecracker Ban In Delhi, Find Other Ways To Celebrate': Supreme Court To Manoj Tiwari MP

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (September 13) told BJP MP Manoj Tiwari that it won't interfere with the firecracker ban imposed in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Tiwari's counsel argued before a bench comprising Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh that the Delhi Government has imposed an absolute ban on the sale and use of firecrackers, despite the orders of the Supreme Court against a blanket ban.

"There are many states imposing complete ban despite the orders of this court", Tiwari's counsel said.

"Locally if there is a ban, there is a ban. We will not interfere", Justice Bopanna orally said. "You can find other ways to celebrate", he added.

"If you feel like bursting crackers, go to a state where it is allowed." Justice Bopanna said in a lighter vein. "Do something for the people. You should be telling your supporters not to do it." he remarked. 

Tiwari had filed a writ petition last year challenging the firecracker ban imposed in Delhi ahead of Diwali in October 2022. In previous hearings too, the Supreme Court had expressed its disinclination to interfere with the ban.

"Spend your money on sweets… Let people breathe clean air", a bench comprising Justices MR Shah and MM Sundresh had orally said last year. On a previous occasion as well, the Supreme Court had cited the high air pollution levels in Delhi while declining the plea to overturn the firecracker ban in the national capital.

This year also, the Delhi Government has announced its decision to ban the manufacturing, sale, storage and use of firecrackers as part of action plan to curb pollution in winters.

In 2021, the Supreme Court had passed a slew of directions to ensure that banned chemicals are not used in crackers ahead of Diwali 2021. The bench had also clarified that there is no total ban on firecrackers and that only those firecrackers were banned that contained barium salts. Green crackers are permissible following the directions issued by the Supreme Court in 2018.

Tiwari's writ petition was listed along with the case Arjun Gopal and others v. Union of India (WP(c) 728/205), which is a writ petition filed in 2015 by a group of minors seeking regulation of firecrackers in Delhi. The hearing in the main matter is at present underway. Live updates can be followed here.