Supreme Court rules out blanket ban on fireworks in Delhi; bats for time-bound use during Diwali

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would consider allowing select firecrackers during Diwali within designated hours, while rejecting both a complete ban and unrestricted use.

A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale said a total prohibition could affect the religious sentiments associated with Diwali. At the same time, permitting firecrackers for the entire day could worsen pollution and affect children, elderly people and those who are unwell.

“We are neither going to agree for a total ban nor allow them to do it for 24 hours,” the bench said, indicating that the court would set specific time slots for the use of approved firecrackers.


The court was hearing the long-running case on regulating firecracker use in Delhi-NCR and other northern parts of the country, particularly during the period when air pollution reaches severe levels.

It also said it was inclined to consider allowing joint firecrackers, commonly known as ‘larri’, subject to certain safeguards. “We are inclined to accept the suggestions made,” the bench recorded in its order.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati asked the court for time until October 15 to submit a Central Pollution Control Board report on barium-based firecrackers. She said testing of these crackers in outdoor conditions was still pending.

The court accepted the request and said it would review the report before deciding which types of firecrackers could be used.

In July, the Supreme Court had sought the CPCB’s views on whether some categories of firecrackers could be permitted, including the possibility of relaxing certain noise-related restrictions.

The case originated in 2015, when the Supreme Court began issuing directions to regulate the manufacture, sale and use of firecrackers amid concerns over deteriorating air quality in Delhi and nearby regions.

The court had previously prohibited the use of firecrackers in Delhi. In 2025, it allowed approved green firecrackers to be sold and used in Delhi-NCR during a specified period around Diwali.

with inputs from ANI