The Calcutta High Court on Monday issued strict directions to curb the use of illegal and environmentally hazardous firecrackers during the observance of Shab-e-Barat, emphasizing the need to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen directed both the West Bengal Pollution Control Board and the state police authorities to enforce the prohibition on the use of impermissible firecrackers during the festival. The court clearly stipulated that no firecrackers shall be permitted between 10 PM and 6 AM.
The court was hearing a petition filed by a woman who expressed concern over the indiscriminate bursting of firecrackers during the festival, seeking judicial intervention to impose reasonable restrictions and to fix a time window for the use of permissible crackers.
Recording the grievance, the bench observed that “the singular grievance of the petitioner is with regard to bursting of firecrackers during observance of Shab-e-Barat” and noted her plea for a ban on illegal firecrackers and the imposition of a fixed time limit.
In response, the court directed:
“No firecrackers which are not permissible and hazardous to environment are permitted to be used during the observance of Shab-e-Barat.”
Further, the bench ordered the police department to ensure the petitioner and her family are provided with “adequate security during the festival.”
To ensure compliance, the High Court directed that an action taken report be submitted before the next hearing, which is scheduled to be listed in April.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has officially declared a holiday on Wednesday to mark the observance of Shab-e-Barat.
