The Supreme Court on Wednesday indicated that it would adopt a balanced approach to the use of firecrackers during the upcoming Diwali season, ruling out both a complete ban and unrestricted bursting throughout the day.
A Bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice PB Varale said that a total ban could affect the sentiments of people celebrating Diwali, while unrestricted use of firecrackers could have a significant impact on air quality and living beings, including children, elderly persons and those who are unwell.
Rejecting both a blanket ban and unrestricted 24-hour use, the Supreme Court signalled it will instead permit the bursting of approved firecrackers only during specific time windows.
The Court was hearing a 2015 case in which it has issued various directions restricting the use of firecrackers in Delhi and other northern States affected by air pollution during the October-January period.
The Court had earlier urged the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to examine whether restrictions on certain types of firecrackers could be relaxed. On Wednesday, it said that it would decide which firecrackers could be permitted after considering the CPCB’s report.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati sought time until October 15 to place the CPCB’s response on barium-based firecrackers before the Court, stating that outdoor testing of such firecrackers was yet to be conducted.
Bhati also suggested that joint firecrackers or ‘larri’, consisting of individual firecrackers connected by a single fuse and designed to explode consecutively, could be permitted subject to conditions. The Court indicated that it was inclined to accept the suggestion. In its order, the Supreme Court indicated it was inclined to accept the Additional Solicitor General’s recommendations regarding joint firecrackers.
The Court had earlier imposed restrictions on firecracker use in Delhi owing to persistent air pollution. In 2025, however, it permitted the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region for a limited period during Diwali.
During hearings in July and August this year, the Court had sought the CPCB’s response on whether certain types of firecrackers could be permitted with partial relaxation of the existing restrictions.
During Wednesday’s hearing, concerns were also raised about the combined impact of Diwali celebrations and crop burning on Delhi’s air quality. The Court reiterated that it would not permit unrestricted use of firecrackers but would examine whether their use could be confined to specified timings during the festival season.
Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, appearing for certain firecracker manufacturers, urged the Court not to impose restrictions exclusively on Delhi and submitted that the applicable regime should be considered on a pan-India basis.
The Court granted the CPCB time to submit its report concerning the impact of barium-based firecrackers.
It also noted that certain issues in the present proceedings overlap with those pending in another MC Mehta matter. The Court observed that it would be appropriate for both matters to be heard together by a common bench and permitted the parties to mention the matter before the appropriate bench.
The Court noted that it will hear all other pending requests, including the ones asking for a full firecracker ban.
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