The Supreme Court transferred a petition filed by three infants through their fathers against the use of loud firecrackers during the festival of Diwali and Dussehra to its Social Justice Bench today.<br/><br/>A bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu transferred the plea to the special bench after the lawyer appearing for the petitioner sought early hearing of the petition.<br/><br/>The plea said that the widespread use of firecrackers in Delhi during the festive season exposed vulnerable infants to severe diseases such as asthma and worsens lung condition.<br/><br/>The petition also said that the imminent advents of festivals that involve widespread fireworks are a clear and present danger to the health of the applicants and the other children who are residents of Delhi.<br/><br/>The plea also cited a study in Bangalore showing how a widespread awareness campaign and enforcement mechanisms led to a sharp 32 per cent decline in pollution levels there during Diwali time in 2013 compared to 2012. <br/><br/>The petition said that a 2005 top court ruling restricting use of fireworks beyond 10 pm had brought some respite to Delhi'ites, but studies thereafter revealed that cases of wheezing, respiratory diseases, exacerbation of bronchial asthma and bronchitis increase by 40 per cent during Diwali.