Delhi Police on Friday night seized 675 kg of banned firecrackers from a Bolero pick-up truck in Gokalpuri, Northeast Delhi. The seized banned firecrackers are one of the biggest hauls of the season. The driver has been arrested.
According to police, a team from Gokalpuri police station intercepted a Mahindra Bolero (UP-15 HT 6535) during late-night checking near Ambedkar College. The vehicle was loaded with cartons of firecrackers, weighing over six quintals.
“The team acted promptly and stopped the vehicle for inspection. On checking, they found 675 kilograms of banned firecrackers being transported without permission. The driver has been arrested and the vehicle seized,” said DCP (North-East) Ashish Mishra.
The accused has been identified as Noor Mohammad (42), a resident of Aatuta village in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. Police said he was transporting the consignment for sale in Delhi ahead of the festival season.
A case has been registered under Section 223(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 5/15 of the Environment Protection Act at the Gokalpuri police station. Police officials said that Noor Mohammad could not produce any valid documents for the goods or disclose the source of supply. “We are verifying where the consignment came from and who was supposed to receive it in Delhi. The supply chain is being traced,” an officer said.
The seizure comes amid a renewed push by the Delhi Government and police to curb the use and sale of banned firecrackers, citing rising pollution levels during the festival season.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned the manufacture, sale, and use of firecrackers in the city since 2020.
Police said they have intensified checking drives across the Northeast district, with special teams deployed at night to stop illegal consignments entering Delhi from neighbouring states.
“We are maintaining strict vigil on all entry points. Action will be taken against anyone found violating the ban,” DCP Mishra added.
In the last week alone, police have registered multiple cases under the Environment Protection Act for possession and sale of banned crackers.
Authorities said the crackdown will continue till after Diwali. The seized consignment has been sent for destruction as per environmental norms, officials said. With festive sales peaking and air quality already dipping, police said they are on high alert to prevent any illegal stockpiling of firecrackers in the capital.
