New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined an urgent hearing on a plea challenging the blanket ban on firecrackers in Delhi till 1 January 2023.

The top court rejected the plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tiwari saying, “Let people breathe clean air… spend your money on sweets”.

Tiwari had approached the court on 10 October against the Aam Aadmi Party government’s ban on the sale, purchase and use of firecrackers.

“In the name of right to life, freedom of religion cannot be taken away…,” the BJP MP’s plea had said.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi high court refused to hear a plea challenging Delhi Pollution Control Committee’s (DPCC) complete ban on sale and use of all kinds of firecrackers.

The High court cited the pendency of issues related to firecrackers before the Supreme Court while refusing the plea.

Single-judge Justice Yashwant Varma said the issue was already being heard by the Supreme Court and hence, it would not be appropriate for the High Court to entertain the same, reports The Print.

Ban on production, sale, storage and bursting of crackers

Delhi Environment Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai on Wednesday said that the Delhi government has banned the production, storage, sale, and bursting of crackers this year as well with fines and jail terms in case of violation.

While addressing a press conference, Rai said “This year as well, there is a ban on production, sale, storage and bursting of crackers.”

“Sale or storage of firecrackers in Delhi can be punished with a fine of ₹ 5,000 and/or imprisonment for three years,” he said.

“Strict action will be taken against those who burst crackers till Diwali. Under section 268 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), there is a provision of a fine of ₹ 200 and/or jail for 6 months against those who burst crackers,” he further said.