Supreme Court quashes Calcutta High Court's order banning fireworks in West Bengal

(PTI) Kolkata / New Delhi, Ta. 1

The Calcutta High Court had banned the sale, purchase and use of fireworks in West Bengal to curb air pollution amid the Corona epidemic. However, the Supreme Court has quashed the order of the Calcutta High Court.

A special bench comprising Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice Ajay Rastogi asked West Bengal during the hearing of the petition filed against the Calcutta High Court's order to ensure that no fireworks were banned in the state under any circumstances.

It may be recalled that a few days back, the West Bengal government had allowed only green fireworks during the Diwali festivities from 8 to 10 pm. However, on October 6, the Calcutta High Court banned all types of fireworks, including green, till December 31.

On the other hand, the Delhi High Court has said that even people in Delhi who want to blow up fireworks outside the Delhi NCR where fireworks are not banned will not be allowed to buy them.

Delhi High Court Justice Sanjeev Sachdev said, "If someone comes from outside Delhi and says that there is less air pollution in my area and I buy from here and go there and blow up firecrackers, if a Delhi shopkeeper sells firecrackers, it will be a crime and a violation of the Supreme Court judgment."