Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Urgent Plea Seeking Blanket Ban on Firecrackers in the Country

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Synopsis

The Bench was of the opinion that for any such directions to be passed, the petitioners should have approached the Court earlier. 

A Supreme Court Bench of CJI U.U. Lalit and Justice Hemant Gupta, refused to entertain a petition, seeking to put a blanket ban on firecrackers.

The Court was of the opinion that considering the approaching Diwali season, people will incur losses if a blanket ban is imposed. And was further of the opinion that for any such directions to be passed, the petitioners should have approached the Court earlier. 

The Bench then asked the petitioners to come after Diwali.

Supreme Court earlier, in a separate matter while hearing a plea moved by BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, seeking directions for usage of permissible firecrackers and against the blanket ban on sale, purchase and usage of firecrackers during festive seasons of Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and others in Delhi and other states, questioned Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha,

"Are you a permanent resident of NCR? Have you seen the condition after Diwali?"

Justice MR Shah posed such a question after Jha had submitted that at least green crackers should be permitted.

The bench also comprising Justice Krishna Murari clarified that the blanket ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal was only for Delhi NCR.

After a few submissions, Court had agreed to hear the PIL with connected matters.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari had moved a Public Interest Litigation plea before the Supreme Court seeking directions for usage of permissible firecrackers and against the blanket ban on sale, purchase and usage of firecrackers during festive seasons of Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and others in Delhi and other states. It was Tiwari's case that the Writ Petition under Article 32 has been filed to protect the interests of the public at large who are being harassed for celebrating Deepawali which is deemed to be one of the most important festivals of Hindus.