Nagpur Court Orders Action Against Illegal Firecracker Sales
The Bombay High Court mandates police to enforce noise regulations on firecrackers in Nagpur.
Firecrackers exceeding 55 decibels are being sold openly in Nagpur.
The Bombay High Court has directed police to take immediate action against violators.
Next hearing scheduled for November 30 to review compliance and actions taken.
In a significant ruling, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has ordered local police to take action against the sale of firecrackers that exceed the 55-decibel noise limit. This directive comes amidst reports of such firecrackers being sold openly in the city, including hazardous items like 'sutali bombs'. The court's intervention was prompted during a hearing on Wednesday, where concerns were raised about the blatant violation of noise regulations.
During the proceedings, Advocate Abdul Subhan, acting as amicus curiae, presented evidence to the court, including photographs showing firecracker stalls set up in close proximity to one another, violating the mandatory three-meter distance rule. The bench, comprising Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Justice Raj Wakode, took these violations seriously and called for immediate action from the Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs).
The court specifically instructed the DCP for Zone III to address the issue of sellers offering firecrackers that surpass the noise limit. Additionally, the DCP was tasked with investigating noise pollution complaints from the Ambazari area. The judges emphasized that the responsibility of ensuring adherence to the Supreme Court's guidelines lies squarely with the police, urging them to take proactive measures.
Concerns were also raised regarding the delays in responding to noise pollution complaints submitted through the designated online portal. The court noted that technical issues were being cited as reasons for these delays, which further exacerbates the problem of noise pollution in the city. The police were questioned about their enforcement of the ban on the sale and use of loud firecrackers, with a demand for detailed reports on actions taken against offenders.
The next hearing is set for November 30, where the court will review the police's compliance with its directives and the effectiveness of the measures taken to curb the illegal sale of firecrackers. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for noise regulation enforcement in Nagpur and beyond.
