The Karnataka High Court has issued notices to the state government and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board over alleged violations of rules governing firecracker use, including the permitted 8 pm to 10 pm window during Diwali. The court’s intervention follows a public interest petition alleging that fireworks continue late into the night across Bengaluru and other parts of the state.
A division bench led by Justice Anu Sivaraman heard the petition filed by Vinod Jacob, 56, a resident of Bengaluru’s Old Airport Road, on Friday. The petition challenges the alleged failure to enforce Supreme Court directions on the use, sale and timing of firecrackers.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that the Supreme Court had permitted the use of green crackers during a fixed two-hour period for Diwali and issued other directions regulating fireworks during festivals. The counsel alleged that these directions were being violated not only during Diwali but also during Ganeshotsav, Dasara and celebrations linked to Indian Premier League matches.
The bench observed that the prescribed time limit for bursting crackers between 8 pm and 10 pm was not being followed strictly. It also noted that some people begin bursting crackers after 9.30 pm and continue until the early hours of the morning. The court said the time limit for bursting crackers must be followed.
The bench directed notices to the state government and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and adjourned the matter to December 9. The notices seek responses from the authorities on the enforcement concerns raised in the petition.
The petition refers to directions issued by the Supreme Court in the Arjun Gopal versus Union of India case. According to the petition, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has issued circulars for implementing those directions, but fireworks continue to be used on public roads, near hospitals and in silence zones.
The petitioner has also alleged that non-green crackers are easily available in local markets because they are cheaper than green crackers. The petition seeks directions to prevent fireworks on public roads, footpaths, traffic junctions and in silence zones, all of which can affect pedestrian movement, traffic operations and people in areas requiring lower noise levels.
Among the measures sought are the identification and notification of community grounds where permitted fireworks can be used under supervision. The petitioner has also asked authorities to ensure that only green crackers are sold and to create inspection teams in every ward during festivals, with enforcement personnel assigned to prevent violations.
The proceedings place the focus on the gap between regulatory instructions and street-level enforcement. The court’s next consideration on December 9 is expected to take up the responses of the state government and the pollution control board to the allegations and enforcement measures sought in the petition.
