With Diwali just around the corner, the police department and other authorities are cautious of doing the appropriate proceedings to counter the illegal sale of firecrackers. Police officials have registered a case against a trader in Maharashtra`s Thane district for allegedly stocking and selling firecrackers without the mandatory permit, officials said on Monday.
As reported by news agency PTI, a raid was carried out in the Ulhasnagar area on the intervening night of October 8 and 9. As a part of a pre-Diwali inspection drive to curb illegal firecracker storage, officials have registered a case against the vendor who was illegally trading firecrackers.
A large stock of firecrackers valued at Rs 2,09,450 was found at the trader`s shop, the official said, as reported by PTI.
The police official, while addressing the issue, asserted that “our team found a large quantity of firecrackers of various brands stored in the premises of the accused. When asked to produce a valid licence or permit for storage and sale, the accused failed to do so. The stock was immediately seized, and a case was registered,” as cited by the news agency.
A case has been lodged against the trader on Saturday under Sections 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant) and 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Explosives Act, the official said.
Earlier on October 8, DRI had arrested a trader for the illegal import of Chinese firecrackers. Authorities, while intensifying their crackdown on illegal imports of Chinese firecrackers, made the proceedings.
Officials allegedly arrested a Mumbai-based importer for smuggling firecrackers worth `2.04 crore, disguised as decorative items.
DRI launched focused surveillance operations at Nhava Sheva, Kandla Special Economic Zone, and Mundra Port in July, after receiving specific intelligence on the large-scale illegal import of fireworks from China ahead of the festive season. Shelke’s consignment was intercepted as part of this ongoing operation.
While emphasising the issue, officials said, “Firecrackers imported from China are prohibited under Indian law and do not meet Bureau of Indian Standards norms. They pose serious safety and environmental risks. We suspect a larger syndicate is behind this racket.”
(With inputs from PTI)
