SC refuses to relax ban on firecracker sale in Delhi-NCR; HC sets time limits in Punjab & Haryana

The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the ban on the sale of firecrackers in the NCR region. The bench also expressed its pain that their order was given a communal tone.

The apex court said that people can burst firecrackers purchased before its order banning the sale. It added that one can burst crackers only till 11 pm. 

SC also directed the Delhi Police to implement its order banning the sale of firecrackers.

'We will ascertain after Diwali if there has been a difference in pollution levels', the Supreme Court said.

Meanwhile while there is no ban on firecrackers in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has fixed timings (6:30 pm to 9:30 pm) on October 19 as the time allowed to burst firecrackers. PCR vans have been asked to keep a check on flouting of the order.

The Supreme Court had on October 9 imposed a blanket ban on sale of firecrackers in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) till November 1 in the run-up of Diwali.

A three-judge bench of the apex court had restored its November 2016 order, banning sale of crackers in NCR and suspended its September 2017 order - which allowed limited sale but banned imports from other states.