Kerala High Court Bans Bursting Of Firecrackers In Religious Places At Odd Hours, Says No Holy Book Prescribes It Pleases God

The Kerala High Court on Friday came down heavily upon bursting of firecrackers at odd hours in religious places. 

The Single Judge Bench of Justice Amit Rawal called upon all District Collectors in the State to conduct raids in all religious places and take into possession crackers illegally stored in all religious place, with the assistance of the Commissioners of Police. 

"I...direct the Deputy Collector with the Assistance of the Commissioner of Police, Cochin and other districts, to conduct raids in all religious places and take into possession of the crackers illegally stored in all religious places and issue instructions that henceforth onwards no crackers shall be burst in religious places at odd time as prima facie there is no commandment in any of the holy book to burst crackers for pleasing the God," the Court observed. 

The interim order was issued by the Court in a plea seeking intervention of the Court for preventing the bursting of the crackers in all religious places in Kerala. The petitioners submitted that explosive licences are being issued by the District Collector under Explosive Rules, and only a few temple holders had such licenses. 

It is the case of the petitioners that such licenses in itself ought not to be issued since the bursting of crackers cause noise and air pollution, as well as disturb peace. 

The judges at this juncture revealed that they had also heard noise of firecrackers past midnight. 

It thereby directed the conduct of raid, and warned that in case of any reported instance of bursting of crackers despite the present order, the Court would be compelled to initiate contempt proceedings. 

The matter has been posted for further consideration on November 24.

Case Title: Binoj K.B. & Ors. v. State of Kerala & Ors. 

Case Number: W.P.(C) No. 1550 of 2015

Click Here To Read/Download The Order