New Delhi, Nov. 12 -- Calling it a mere "eyewash", the Supreme Court came down heavily on the Delhi Police for failing to comprehensively implement the firecracker ban in the National Capital and only seizing raw materials. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih therefore directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to immediately inform all the stakeholders concerned about the ban order and ensure no sale and manufacture of crackers.

The Bench observed that Punjab and Haryana Governments remained reluctant to act against farmers who resort to stubble burning in the fields, leading to a rise in air pollution. "We direct Delhi police commissioner to form a special cell to ensure effective implementation of the ban on fire crac...