The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of the explosion at a firecracker factory in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh resulting in the death of six people, including two children, and injuring several others.
The petition is registered suo motu on the basis of the news item dated 03.10.2024.
As per the article the incident occurred on October 3, 2024, at around 3 PM, when the factory was reportedly operational, leading to a catastrophic blast that damaged nearby structures.
The news item states that the accused only had licence to sell firecrackers, but was found operating an illegal firecracker factory at a relative’s residence, where the incident occurred.
It is alleged that the explosion led to the collapse of five adjoining houses. Furthermore, it is stated that the accused had stored around one quintal of gunpowder and other materials used in cracker manufacturing on the second and third floors of the house.
The article asserts that the death toll is expected to rise. The news item does not indicate that any compensation has been paid to the family members of the deceased or injured.
The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance of the environmental norms.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A. Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
(1). Member Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
(2). Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board.
(3). Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
(4). District Magistrate (DM), Bareilly.
(5). Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Bareilly.
(6). ADG of State Disaster Response Force, U.P.
The Bench issued notice to the Respondents and listed the matter on 10.01.2025.
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