This year, Diwali brought darkness in the lives of many. The Delhi police registered 579 cases and made arrests of 310 people on Diwali night for celebrating the festival of light beyond the imposed limit. According to the Indian Express report, the Delhi Police also seized over 7,900 kg of illegal firecrackers, of which over 2,500 kg was seized on Diwali itself, from different parts of the city.
The Delhi police formed several teams and patrolled all the 14 districts. The legal action was initiated against those who were found bursting crackers after 10 pm.
On Diwali, The apex court of India had allowed bursting of crackers between 8 pm and 10 pm only.
Delhi Police spokesperson Madhur Verma said, “Those arrested were later granted bail. Appropriate legal action was also taken against 24 juveniles under the Juvenile Justice Act for not abiding by the Supreme Court’s direction.”
According to police, out of the 579 cases, 6 were registered in New Delhi, 17 in southeast , 22 in southwest , 37 in east , 59 in northeast , 47 in Shahdara, 30 in central, 8 in north, 48 in northwest, 58 in Rohini, 48 in south, 23 in southeast, 52 in west, 89 in outer Delhi and 35 in Dwarka districts of Delhi.
On Wednesday, the Delhi Police also arrested a man whose children were caught bursting firecrackers in Ghazipur area. The Noida police also booked 47 people for bursting crackers on Diwali.
Tamil Nadu was also no different than Delhi. On Tuesday, Tamil Nadu police registered 2,100 cases and made arrests of at least 650 people for bursting crackers beyond the limit of 6 to 7 am and 7 to 8 pm by the State government for Diwali celebrations. Highest number cases- 344- were registered in Chennai. In Coimbatore district, 184 cases were registered, the second highest in the state. According to a The News Minute report, 160 cases were registered in Virudhunagar, third highest in the state.
The police made arrests of people those who violated the Supreme Court’s order under section 291 (Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue), and 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 268 (Public Nuisance) of the Indian Penal Code.
Retired Judge of the Madras High Court K Chandru said that if violation is proved then the cases against violators will stand. He further added, “But chances are high that the judge may ultimately warn the accused and close the case when these cases reaches the court.”
People in large refused to comply with the imposed limit. Whatever happened on Diwali was a mass response in favour of benign tradition and culture of the majority. We are yet to witness an action against the parents of those who pelt stones on the army and join the terrorist groups.