In violation of the Supreme Court’s directions involving the sale of illegal firecrackers and disregard for the time limit set for bursting crackers, a total of 562 cases were registered under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) across Delhi and 323 people were arrested by the Delhi Police. Police also seized 2,776 kg of firecrackers from various parts of the city on Diwali, police revealed Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Police had deployed 10 thousand men and officers to patrol across the National Capital and ensure that nothing untoward happened. Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and all the senior police officers were on the streets to oversee the arrangements.
“72 cases were registered under provisions of Explosive Act and 75 people were arrested with regard to the cases. Supreme Court had allotted 8 pm to 10 pm as the time to burst crackers. 562 FIRs were registered for violation of the order and 323 people were arrested,” said Madhur Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) and Chief Spokesperson of Delhi Police.
“Subsequently, 87 persons were arrested for illegal sale of firecrackers and 24 juveniles also received legal action for violating the SC’s directions under the provision of the Juvenile Justice Act”, Verma revealed.
Out of the 562 cases registered in Delhi, six cases were registered in New Delhi district, 22 in southwest district, 37 in east district, 59 in northeast district, 47 in Shahdara district, 30 in central district, eight in north district, 48 in northwest district, 58 in Rohini district, 48 in south district, 23 in southeast district, 52 in west district, 89 in outer district and 38 in Dwarka district of Delhi.
Among the eight cases registered in north district, two were in Burari, two in Sabzi Mandi and four in Roop Nagar, they said. Subsequently, 11 people were arrested and 23 calls received regarding burning and selling of firecrackers, police said.
Similarly, in Dwarka, 38 cases were registered and 20 people arrested for violating norms. Dwarka district police received 71 calls relating to firecracker burning, police said.
Further, out of the 2776 kg of illegal firecrackers seized from different parts of Delhi, 208 kg was retrieved from Southwest district, 165 kg from East district, 214.3 kg from Northeast district, 176 kg from Shahdara district, 112 kg from Northwest district, 794.5 kg from Rohini district, 100 kg from South district, 278 kg from Southeast district, 100 kg from West district, 212 kg from Outer district, 417.6kg from Dwarka district.
The Supreme Court had allowed bursting of firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only on Diwali and other festivals. It had also allowed manufacture and sale of only “green crackers”, which have a low light and sound emission and less harmful chemicals.
The court had asked the police to ensure that banned firecrackers were not sold and said in case of any violation, the station house officer (SHO) of the police station concerned would be held personally liable and it would amount to committing contempt of the court.
