Arjun Gopal, Aarav Bhandari and Zoya Rao Bhasin, all aged between 6 and 14 months, who knocked the doors of the Supreme Court seeking immediate steps to curb Delhi's fatal air pollution including ban on fire crackers during Diwali, won the first round on Thursday.

Admitting their petition, a bench headed by chief justice HL Dattu issued notices to the Delhi government, Delhi Pollution Control Board and the Centre seeking their response by October 16.

The special social justice bench of the court will hear the matter on that day.

Appearing for the infants, who moved court through their legal guardians, senior lawyer Kapil Sibal alleged that the Delhi government had `387 crore to combat pollution, but at least 87% of the funds lie unused.

Filed with the help of advocate Pooja Dhar, the petition demands among other things, a total ban on the use of firecrackers, sparklers, and explosives during festivals.

They have also sought an interim stay before the ensuing Diwali.

The PIL also sought ban on burning of seasonal crops, strict action against those who dump dust, malba and other pollutants without following rules and immediate introduction of Bharat-V or better emission norms into operation uniformly across country.