On Tuesday, the Supreme Court directed the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan to strictly enforce a comprehensive ban on firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR). The Court warned that any failure to implement the order would invite contempt proceedings.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan instructed the states to issue directives under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act (EPA), imposing a complete prohibition on the manufacture, sale, storage, and online delivery of all types of firecrackers in NCR areas.

"The directions issued under Section 5 of the EPA must be strictly implemented by all law enforcement agencies," the bench emphasized. Section 5 empowers the Central Government to issue binding directions to authorities to control environmental pollution.

The Court ordered the states to create robust mechanisms for enforcing the ban and mandated wide publicity of the prohibition and associated penalties. “In case of non-compliance by officials or authorities, action under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, may be initiated,” the Court added. All NCR states have been directed to file detailed compliance affidavits.

Reiterating its April 3 stance, the Court declined to relax the ongoing ban, citing persistently high air pollution levels in the region. It noted that vulnerable populations, especially those working outdoors, bear the brunt of pollution and cannot afford air purifiers.

The bench rejected the idea of limiting the ban to the Diwali season, stating that advance stocking of firecrackers would render such restrictions ineffective.

Earlier, in December 2024, the Supreme Court had ordered Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to adopt a year-round ban similar to that imposed by Delhi. The Court had also taken note of Rajasthan's compliance in its NCR regions.

The directive came during the hearing of a long-pending PIL filed by environmental activist M.C. Mehta in 1985, seeking measures to curb air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas.