Delhi AQI Today Live Updates: Smog continues to blanket Delhi two days after Diwali; AQI dips to ‘very poor’ at 345

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and conveyed her Diwali greetings to him. Gupta also briefed Modi on Delhi's development works, the Clean Yamuna campaign and preparations for the upcoming Chhath festival.

According to an official statement, the meeting was cordial and productive. The chief minister was accompanied by her husband and children.

Gupta informed Modi about her government's ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the Yamuna. She said the Delhi government is committed to making the river clean and pollution-free by enhancing sewage-treatment capacity, adopting modern wastewater technologies and strictly monitoring the discharge of industrial effluents.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Tuesday said the "radiance and brilliance" of Diwali in Delhi this year was "unique", while asserting her government was serious about taking effective measures to curb pollution.

She thanked the Supreme Court for allowing the "limited use" of green firecrackers, balancing tradition with environmental concerns, even as opposition AAP sought to corner the BJP government over the rise in air quality index post-Diwali.

Delhi residents woke up to heavy grey haze darkening the city skies on Tuesday, reduced visibility and the air quality in the 'red zone' after many celebrated Diwali last night by bursting firecrackers beyond the two-hour limit set by the Supreme Court. According to a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 359, in the 'very poor' category, at 11 am on Tuesday.

Police have registered more than 100 cases across Delhi over alleged violation of the Supreme Court's guidelines on bursting firecrackers and more than 50 on charges of illegal sale during Diwali celebrations, officials said on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court has restricted the bursting of firecrackers to October 19 and 20, between 6 AM and 7 AM, and between 8 PM and 10 PM.

A senior police officer from Dwarka district said that 24 cases of bursting crackers beyond the allowed time were registered in the district. Similarly, Rohini district also reported 24 cases of violation and three cases of illegal sale.

Mere use of the term “physical relations” without supporting evidence is insufficient to establish rape or aggravated penetrative sexual assault, the Delhi High Court has held.

The court’s observation came while allowing a man’s appeal challenging his conviction and 10 years imprisonment in a rape case and acquitting him of the charges.

“In the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case, the use of the term ‘physical relations’, unaccompanied by any supporting evidence, would not be sufficient to hold that the prosecution has been able to prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt.

Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant has voiced his concerns on the deteriorating air quality in Delhi.

He lamented the Supreme Court's decision of approving green crackers. He said, The Hon. Supreme Court in its wisdom has prioritised the right to burn crackers over the right to live and breathe. Delhi remains among the world’s most polluted capital. If Los Angles, Beijing, and London can do it, why can’t Delhi?