A man suffered burn injuries while his scooter was damaged in a fire triggered by crackers being burst by a marriage party late on Wednesday night, well past the Supreme Court-imposed deadline on lighting fireworks.

Sunil Kumar, who works at a restaurant, said he had registered a complaint at Sadar police station around 1.30am on Thursday. Police said they were trying to ensure Kumar was compensated adequately by members of the wedding party who accepted it was their mistake.

The incident occurred near Firayalal Banquet Hall at Kokar.

“It was around 10.30pm and I was returning from my restaurant at GEL Church Complex on Main Road. The marriage procession was near the hall. Its members were bursting crackers on the road linking Lalpur Chowk and Kokar Chowk. Anticipating trouble, I stopped. Then, suddenly a cracker hit me on the head. My shirt was burnt and my scooter caught fire,” said Kumar, who was saved from serious injuries in his eyes as he was wearing a helmet.

The two-wheeler was severely burnt in the fire caused by what were giant rocket-powered sparklers meant to burst in the sky and shower colourful embers.

Kumar was taken to sadar hospital where he was administered first aid. After that he filed a police complaint.

A local resident described the event as an accident. “The groom was from the family of one Ramchandra Prasad, a resident of Circular Road. The bride’s party was from Daltonganj. Some members of the wedding procession were also hurt,” he said.

Sadar thana OC Venkatesh Kumar said they were trying to ensure Kumar was compensated. “Those in the marriage party accepted their mistake. They want to settle the matter and have also approached the victim. Depending on further developments, we will take legal action,” he said.

Supreme Court prohibits bursting fire crackers after 10pm but the rule is not taken seriously by residents. Neither is it implemented by police. Hence, bursting crackers is a regular feature of life in capital Ranchi and elsewhere in Jharkhand.

OC of Kotwali police station S.N. Mandal, under whose watch there are more than a dozen banquet halls, admitted thy were unable to take action against those who violated the law with impunity.

“People call us to complain about crackers being burst after 10pm. We rush to the spot and ensure it is stopped. But later, when we ask the caller to provide a written complaint for further action, they refuse saying they don’t want to disrupt a marriage. Hence, taking strong action against such marriage processions is difficult,” the OC said.

State fire officer S.K. Verma said bursting crackers on roads was unsafe as there was always a chance that vehicles, filled with fuel, would catch fire. Prevention is better than cure, so people must be alert and police should take a stern view of such incidents.”