Firecrackers sold openly in Delhi despite Supreme Court restrictions
Vendors in several major markets are selling various firecrackers even as the Supreme Court permits only certified green crackers for a limited period.
Firecrackers are being sold openly across several markets in Delhi ahead of Diwali, according to a report by Hindustan Times. Despite Supreme Court orders, vendors in areas including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, and Sarojini Nagar were seen displaying various products on Monday.
The Supreme Court recently permitted the sale and use of certified green firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region for a short window around Diwali. The court noted that previous bans had been ignored and that conventional crackers were often being sold as green alternatives.
In Chandni Chowk, vendors displayed items such as sparklers and poppers. Some sellers claimed they only sold products for children, while others suggested that larger items like rockets or bombs could be obtained from nearby warehouses or in Sadar Bazaar.
Many firecracker boxes lacked the mandatory QR codes required to verify them as certified green crackers. While some boxes had codes, they either redirected to online catalogues or were too small to be scanned.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) Niharika Bhatt said that police have lodged more than 13 FIRs and seized 1,200 kgs of firecrackers since Dussehra. She stated that authorities are intensifying efforts to catch offenders and have issued pleas to residents and traders to avoid bursting crackers.