Pollution bad enough already, cannot allow firecracker sales: HC

New Delhi: Delhi High Court has said that it cannot allow the sale of firecrackers when there is already "enough" pollution in the capital.
The court's oral observation came on Monday while dealing with a petition by Delhi Fireworks Shopkeepers Association, a group of traders with "permanent" licence to possess and sell crackers.
The petitioner's counsel said the grievance of the traders was with respect to the ban on the storage of firecrackers as it was allegedly resulting in "harassment".
During the hearing, the court said it would ask authorities to seal the traders' premises being used for storage of firecrackers to ensure that there was no pilferage. "The state must be involved in the sealing process so that there is no pilferage," said Justice Sanjeev Narula. "We are not going to allow you to sell. There is enough pollution in this city," added the judge.
The petitioner's counsel said that even though no crackers were being sold by its members, soon after the ban order, police started visiting the permanent licensees questioning why they were storing the firecrackers.
The court observed that in one of the instances cited by the petitioner, there was an allegation of someone selling the crackers and said whoever acted in contravention of the law would be prosecuted.
"We can't make an exception for you. If you store them, there is a possibility of (misuse). We will put a seal. It will be videographed," the court said.
Delhi govt on Sept 14 imposed ban on the production, storage, sale, and use of all kinds of firecrackers across the city, effective until Jan 1. While announcing it, environment minister Gopal Rai urged Delhi residents to support the govt's efforts to curb air pollution. PTI