Supreme Court allows green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during fixed Diwali hours

The Supreme Court issued orders on firecrackers, criminal cases, examinations and elections. The rulings addressed public safety, institutional transparency and accountability across several disputes.

In Short

• Court cancelled anticipatory bail for IPS officer Srinath Joshi Mahadev
• Ayodhya donation petitions closed, allowing local court trial to proceed
• Medical examinations board must explain limited disclosure of NEET-PG answer keys

The Supreme Court on Monday issued orders in cases concerning firecrackers, anticipatory bail, alleged embezzlement of Ayodhya Ram temple donations, medical entrance examinations and local body polls, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

Among the key developments, the court allowed green firecrackers to be burst in Delhi-National Capital Region during specified hours on November 7 and 8. It also said a complete ban was facilitating illegal sales and preventing people from buying approved green firecrackers.

The Supreme Court said a complete ban on firecrackers was not only facilitating illegal sales but also preventing people from purchasing legitimate green firecrackers tested at established facilities, PTI reported.

Days ahead of Diwali, the court allowed green firecrackers to be burst in Delhi-NCR from 6 am to 7 am and from 8 pm to 10 pm on November 7 and 8.

In another case, the court cancelled the anticipatory bail granted to IPS officer Srinath Joshi Mahadev, who is accused of abusing his official position in a corruption case being investigated by the Karnataka Lokayuktha Police.

The court also closed proceedings on a batch of petitions seeking an independent investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations to the Ayodhya Ram temple. It said the local court would now proceed with the trial against the accused.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the policy of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, the Supreme Court directed it to explain why it insisted on limited disclosure of answer keys for the NEET-PG examinations.

The court set aside an order of the Rajasthan State Election Commission that had refused permission to a civil society organisation to conduct voter awareness campaigns ahead of the ongoing local body elections in the state.

In a separate matter, the court refused urgent listing of a plea alleging a nearly 700 per cent rise in airfares. “Don't travel by air,” it told the petitioner.

The Supreme Court dismissed a plea by former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader K N Nehru challenging a Madras High Court direction to register a first information report against him in an alleged Rs 634 crore cash-for-job scam.

It also refused to entertain a plea filed by alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal case.

Supreme Court judge Justice P S Narasimha recused himself from hearing a public interest litigation over the delay in finalising the revised Memorandum of Procedure governing appointments of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.

The court also said a plea by Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a fresh money laundering case may be listed for hearing during the week.

The day's proceedings covered restrictions on firecrackers, criminal and corruption cases, election awareness, examination transparency, airfares and judicial appointments.

- Ends