Top Court set aside Calcutta High Court order on blanket ban of firecrackers

The Supreme Court set aside the blanket ban on firecrackers imposed by the Calcutta HC. A vacation bench of the Apex court has allowed the use of green crackers in areas where air quality is 'good' or 'moderate. Supreme Court vacation Bench comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and Ajay Rastogi was hearing the challenge to the order dated October 29, 2021 of the Calcutta High Court banning the use of firecrackers in West Bengal during upcoming festivities of Kali Puja, Diwali, Chatt Puja, Jagadhatri Puja, Guru Nanak's Birthday, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve this year. The bench clarified that its earlier order will be applicable to all the states uniformly and West Bengal cannot be an exception. "There cannot be a complete ban on firecrackers. The mechanism must be strengthened to stop misuse," the Supreme Court had while hearing a petition challenging the blanket ban. The bench also asked the West Bengal government to explore the possibility to ensure that banned firecrackers and related items are not imported in the state at the entry point itself.