Supreme Court Refuses to Interfere with Delhi Govt's Blanket Ban on Firecrackers

A bench of justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh was hearing an application by the Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA), an association representing 180 fireworks manufacturers, seeking approval from the court to go ahead with the production of formulations on green crackers as suggested by the Centre. The manufacturers said the entire industry stands frozen due to the ban even as toxic firecrackers under “green” packaging continue to flood the markets.

Green crackers are produced with less harmful raw materials, in accordance with instructions issued by the top court.

“Our concern is, even after the ban, how is it happening... We would like to hear the Delhi Police on this so far as Delhi is concerned,” the bench said and asked the Centre to take instructions within a day. The Delhi Police is the licencing unit for the sale of crackers in Delhi.