Strictly adhere to law in grant of licence to sell crackers: High Court tells govt

With Diwali round the corner, the Delhi high court on Wednesday directed the Aam Aadmi Party government to ensure that temporary licences for sale of fireworks and crackers are granted by “strictly adhering” to the Explosives Act and rules under it.

A Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath issued the direction to Delhi Police on an NGO’s plea seeking to restrain it from granting temporary licence for sale of fireworks and crackers from sheds on or close to public roads.

“Respondents are directed that Explosives Act and rules framed thereunder are strictly adhered to when considering applications for temporary licence for <g data-gr-id="20">sale</g> of fireworks and crackers,” the court said and disposed of the petition.

Advocate Abhijat, appearing for the NGO <g data-gr-id="21">Harit</g> Vikas, told the court that even though there were around 150 shops having permanent licence to sell fireworks and crackers, the police was granting temporary licences to certain temporary sheds. 

“This is being done illegally, without adhering to the mandatory terms and conditions and without considering the issues of traffic congestion, public security and public safety etc. in the national Capital,” the NGO has said in its plea.

Abhijat submitted that under the existing laws, it was mandatory that no temporary licence for sale of fireworks and crackers from temporary sheds be granted unless and until they are located at least 50 metres away from a public road.

The NGO has contended, “Temporary fireworks and crackers <g data-gr-id="23">licenses</g> are being granted to the temporarily erected sheds, against the rules and laws in force, in such places which are close to busy markets and main public roads which have direct bearing on the circulation of traffic... and last but not the least at places which affect smooth movement of pedestrians,” it has said.