Cracker violations: Police file more than 100 cases in Mumbai
MUMBAI: The Mumbai police registered 53 cases against firecracker vendors and over 100 cases against people who had burst firecrackers outside the Supreme Court-prescribed exemption period of 8pm to 10pm during Diwali celebrations this year.
“The cases against firecracker vendors were pertaining to violations of the SC guidelines and not acquiring requisite permissions,” said Manjunath Singe, deputy commissioner of police and spokesperson for Mumbai police. “Cases have also been initiated against those violating the time limit for bursting crackers. The 100-plus cases include those against unidentified persons who escaped from the spot after the police’s arrival,” said Singe on Saturday.
The SC order allows bursting of low-emission and reduced decibel firecrackers for Diwali, between 8pm and 10pm. Cases have been registered under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code and section 33 (U) of the Bombay Police Act (setting off or throwing firecrackers within 50 feet of a street or building).
The Mumbai police said that its control room received calls alerting them to violations and patrolling was undertaken to initiate cases against offenders. Instances of firecrackers being burst after 10pm were recorded all across the city. Citizens also contacted the police through Twitter, to inform them of areas where the SC order was being violated. On social media, there were numerous complaints that the police helpline number was unavailable.
Despite regular patrolling and awareness campaigns, there werenumerousviolationsacross the city, said Mumbai Police.
On October 23, the SC imposed a ban on firecrackers, allowing an exemption window of two hours between 8pm to 10pm when lowemission and low-decibel firecrackers would be permitted during Diwali.
CONTINUED ON P 10