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Supreme Court Bans Sale Of Fire Crackers In Delhi, NCR Region

A bench headed by Justice A K Sikri had on October 6 had reserved its order on a plea seeking restoration of the apex court's last year order banning the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR

The Supreme Court on Monday restored the ban on the sale of fire crackers till November 1.

While delivering its order, the court said it wants to test the effect of the ban on air quality after Diwali.

However, speaking to ANI, lawyer Haripriya Padmanabhan said that people who have already purchased crackers will be able to burst them.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated across India by bursting crackers. Every year, the national capital is left with thick smoke and pollution.

On October 6, the apex court had reserved its order on the review petition over lifting the ban on firecrackers.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan and Abhay Manohar Sapre, was hearing the case.

Earlier on September 12, the apex court had temporarily lifted its earlier order and permitted the sale of fire crackers.

During the hearing on the plea seeking restoration of last year's order, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had told the bench that they "support" the application

Advocate Gopal Shankarnarayanan, appearing for petitioner Arjun Gopal, had contended before the court that ban on use of firecrackers should be restored as the NCR had witnessed a huge rise in air pollution during and after Diwali last year

He had said that rise in air pollution during last Diwali was because of several reasons, including the extensive use of firecrackers

The counsel, appearing for the permanent licencees selling crackers, had opposed the plea and said the September 12 order temporarily lifting the ban, was "well-reasoned" and passed after hearing all the parties, including the CPCB

He had argued that all aspects raised by the petitioner now were considered by the apex court while passing the order last month and though firecrackers impacted air quality, it was "not the greatest cause of particulate matter (PM) 2.5"

The apex court had last month temporarily lifted its earlier order suspending licences for sale of fire crackers, saying a complete ban would be an "extreme step" and a graded approach was needed to curb pollution caused by them

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The court, however, had said its order lifting the ban on sale of fire crackers might require a "review" after Diwali depending on the ambient air quality after the festival.

(With PTI inputs)

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