The Supreme Court on Tuesday flagged reports of firecrackers being sold openly in Delhi markets despite restrictions imposed by it and asked the Centre to take steps to ensure strict compliance with its orders.
A Bench of Justices M M Sundresh and P B Varale drew the attention of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to a newspaper report which purportedly showed different varieties of firecrackers being sold in the national capital despite the court's directions.
"In today's report, there's a photograph... they say that notwithstanding yesterday's order, now everything is available in the shops. Please look into it," the Bench told Bhati. "They say that in the market every other cracker, licensed, unlicensed, QR code or no QR code, everything is available. Please take note of it," Justice Sundresh said.
The court's observation came days after it permitted the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during Diwali, subject to strict conditions.
In its October 29 order, made available on Monday, the Bench allowed firecrackers to be burst only between 6 am and 7 am and 8 pm and 10 pm on November 7 and 8.
The Bench said a blanket ban on firecrackers might be the ideal solution but the court lacked adequate data to determine whether a complete prohibition would be the most effective way to address pollution caused by their use.
"Though imposition of a blanket ban seems to be the ideal solution, we are of the opinion that this court, at this point in time, is short of adequate data to decide whether or not a complete ban would be the best solution to solve the problem of environmental pollution caused by bursting firecrackers," it said.
The court has previously expressed concern over the failure of authorities to implement its directions and enforce measures to curb the use of firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region.
Observing that bursting firecrackers would inevitably contribute to pollution, the Bench said an individual's right to practise a particular activity, even if it has a religious dimension, was subject to constitutional restrictions.
Referring to its October 15, 2025 order, which had permitted the sale and bursting of green firecrackers during Diwali subject to conditions, the court said the restrictions were intended to strike a balance between religious traditions and environmental and public health concerns.
It also made clear that the complete ban on firecrackers would come back into force from November 9.
The directions were issued while hearing applications in a matter concerning restrictions on firecrackers in the national capital.
The Bench further prohibited the bursting of fireworks within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old-age homes and notified silence zones.
These areas are to be declared 'no-cracker zones', with the restrictions clearly marked on the ground and publicised, the court said.
(With inputs from PTI)