Regulate burning of effigies, HC to govt

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Tuesday asked the Delhi government to hold consultations and frame guidelines to regulate burning of effigies and firecrackers during Dusherra and other festivals.

Responding to a PIL moved by an auto driver, Krityanand Kumar Rai, a bench of justice S Ravindra Bhat and justice A K Chawla said: “Since Dusshera is at its peak, we cannot frame guidelines at the eleventh hour. The Delhi government shall hold consultations for framing of guidelines to regulate the burning of effigies and firecrackers during festive season.”

Rai, in his petition, said firecrackers are burnt not just during Diwali and Dusshera but also during events such as weddings.

He said around 10,000 effigies are burnt in Delhi during Dusshera, deteriorating the air quality.

Senior advocate Kailash Vasdev, the amicus curiae appointed by the court, informed the bench about earlier orders of the high court and the Supreme Court, where certain directions were passed regarding the burning of fire crackers.