In Brief
The Supreme Court addressed multiple applications challenging an earlier order that partially relaxed a complete suspension of fireworks licences in Delhi and NCR to combat severe air pollution. The petitioners sought restoration of the complete ban; manufacturers and traders sought full liberalisation. The Court upheld the graded approach balancing health rights against commercial interests but, noting that the complete suspension had never been tested during Diwali, delayed implementation of the September 2017 relaxations until November 1, 2017. This allowed the 2017 Diwali season to proceed under the original suspension, ensuring one full season to assess whether suspending fireworks sales would measurably improve air quality—a key question left unanswered when the earlier order relaxed restrictions.
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