Farm Fires After Dark: Unmasking The Truth Behind Delhi’s Toxic Haze

Delhi is once again shrouded in its annual toxic haze, with stubble burning in neighboring states contributing heavily to the pollution. While official data claims a significant reduction in farm fires this year, India Today's Special Investigation Team uncovers the truth behind the numbers. From Sangrur to Bathinda, the investigation reveals how farmers evade satellite detection by burning stubble after 4 PM, guided by government officers themselves. Interviews with patwaris, agricultural officers, and farmers expose a deep-rooted system of data manipulation, where Supreme Court guidelines are openly flouted, and penalties are often shifted to nodal officers. With exclusive insights from NASA scientists and on-ground revelations, this report highlights how Delhi's air quality remains a hostage to this hidden loophole in stubble-burning detection. A must-watch for anyone concerned about the environment and accountability.