India, Oct. 14 -- Even as Delhi-NCR awaits the Supreme Court's final verdict whether or not firecrackers will be allowed this Diwali, the festive buzz in the Capital's markets revealed a different story. Despite a blanket ban on their manufacture, sale, storage and use, firecrackers are being sold openly across several parts of the city, an HT visit to Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid and Sadar Bazaar found. Meanwhile, the sound of firecrackers has already filled the air across NCR with a large number of such incidents reported last week, according to residents' welfare associations (RWAs).

Last week, the apex court reserved its verdict on petitions filed by cracker manufacturers against the permanent ban. The Centre, at the hearing, recommend...