Delhi's Deputy Commissioner of Police apologises for tweet on firecracker ban

Delhi's Deputy Commissioner of Police (southwest) Devendra Arya has apologised for his comments in the social media, criticising the Supreme Court's decision to ban the sale and production of firecrackers that cause pollution.

"You can be jailed for bursting firecrackers on Diwali. Never thought that such a day would come. Is this my India that I am living in," the officer had tweeted.

Mr Arya, who drew flak for questioning the top court, apologised later for the tweet terming it as "an inadvertent slip".

"It was a momentary inadvertent slip on my part. It does not reflect any opinion/view. I sincerely apologise for this inadvertent slip," he late said.

Read: Supreme Court Allows Sale Of Firecrackers With Caveats; Crackers With Reduced Emission Allowed, Online Sale Banned

The Supreme Court had earlier announced its verdict on the plea seeking a nationwide ban on firecrackers refusing to impose a complete ban on the manufacture and sale of firecrackers in the country.

"SHO (Station house officer) will control the sale of firecrackers. If there is any loophole in the investigation, there he will be accountable to it. Firecrackers can be burnt mostly, anywhere but only between 8-10 PM in the evening. Central Pollution Control Board and the state board will prepare 10 days before Diwali to check the level of pollution in the air between and after Diwali. This time the Central and state control board will be alert", said Vijay Panjwani, Advocate of Central Pollution Control Board, said while speaking on the matter.

In 2017, ahead of Diwali, the top court had put a temporary ban on the sale of firecrackers to put a check on the level of pollution. While the manufacturers filed a plea in the court to sell the firecrackers for few days to earn some livelihood during Diwali, the apex court dismissed it, maintaining its verdict.

Read: From Complete Ban On Online Sale To Burning Of Crackers Only Between 8-10 Pm, Here's Supreme Court's Judgement On Firecrackers In 10 Points