Two cops suspended for failing to stop cracker sale

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 17

Two personnel of the Delhi Police have been suspended for allegedly failing to check the sale of firecrackers in their beat areas even after the Supreme Court temporarily banned their sale, said a police official here today.

The two personnel were deputed at the Mongolpuri Police Station in Northwest Delhi and were suspended for allegedly "not knowing" what was happening in their beat areas, a senior police official said.

A departmental inquiry has been initiated, the official said.

A 40-year-old shopkeeper illegally selling firecrackers was also arrested, he added.

Senior police officials of the outer district were informed on Sunday about the shopkeeper selling firecrackers despite the Supreme Court banning their sale.

It is being probed whether the police officials had colluded with the shopkeeper and were aiding him, he added.

According to DCP Madhur Verma, “We have seized total 1,182 kg of crackers and in 21 cases FIR has been registered. And any police personnel not following the orders of the Supreme Court, will be dealt with stringent action.”

Dependra Pathak, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) and the chief spokesperson for the department, said the police “had begun examining the court’s order so that it is followed without fail. We have appealed to people to cooperate with us to implement the SC’s order.”

14 detained for bursting crackers outside SC

Fourteen people were detained today for bursting firecrackers outside the Supreme Court to protest the temporary ban on the sale of firecrackers.

The members, who claimed to be from an outfit Azad Hind Fauj, burst firecrackers outside the apex court.

As many as 14 persons were detained and taken to the Tilak Marg police Station.