SupremeCourt hears a batch of petitions alleging the use of banned chemicals in firecrackers in express violation of earlier orders especially with regard to use of Barium Nitrate and its salts in manufacturing of fireworks

Sr. Adv Gopal Sankaranarayanan (will be referred to as GS hereafter) : we have place on record an additional affidavit on the basis of the CBI report. what has transpired is indeed very disturbing.

Justice Shah: Our earlier order must be complied with by every State.

Justice Shah: We have already banned joint crackers. But in any celebration you go to, you will find joint crackers. How is this happening?

Justice Shah: have you seen the reply by manufacturers. what they say is very surprising. they say that when they are found to have purchased huge quantity of barium its to be kept in godown but not manufacture. its not for show that they are purchasing it

Sr Adv Dushyant Dave: They can only use Barium Nitrite now

GS: No they cannot use any barium element

Sr Adv Rajiv Dutta: MoEF has also filed a separate affidavit

SC: We may pass an order that the entire quantity purchased be seized. it cannot be in godown also

Dutta: your orders have to be complied with. But if some person has done something let not entire industry suffer

Dave: let us strike a balance

SC: We cannot celebrate at the cost of life of others. From where do we get that celebration can only be from noisy crackers?

SC: Celebration can also be from Fuljhaddi etc and does not need noisy crackers

SC: Respondents state that they have filed replies to CBI report. Sr Adv G Sankarananyanan states reply from petitioner has been filed. some of the counsels have received the replies. we have received reply by standard fireworks just now. Let counter be filed.

List on October 26