Notice has gone out to the State and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board over late-night firecracker bursting during festivals, with the Karnataka High Court orally remarking that timings for bursting crackers have to be maintained.
Bengaluru: Late-night firecracker bursting during festivals came under the Karnataka High Court’s scrutiny on Thursday, November 12, 2026, when it issued notice to the State Government and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board on a public interest litigation seeking strict enforcement of the Supreme Court’s directions on the sale and use of firecrackers. The State has been asked to place on record within three weeks the steps taken to implement them [Vinod Jacob v. State of Karnataka & Others].
A Division Bench of Justice Anu Sivaraman and Justice K.S. Bharath Kumar heard the matter.
The petition and what it asks for
The petitioner, Vinod Jacob, wants the directions of the Supreme Court in Arjun Gopal v. Union of India enforced. Those directions deal with green firecrackers and with limits on the time and place of bursting them. The petition asks the State authorities to stop firecrackers being burst on public roads, pedestrian pathways, traffic intersections and in silence zones.
It further seeks the identification, notification and monitoring of designated community grounds where permitted fireworks may be used, steps to make sure only green firecrackers are sold, and flying squads with enforcement staff in every ward, particularly during festival seasons.
Violations beyond Diwali, says petitioner’s counsel
Advocate Alwyn Sebastian, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the petition was filed before Diwali, but the violations were not confined to that festival. He pointed to the Ganesh festival, Dasara and celebrations after Indian Premier League matches.
He told the Court that the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board had issued circulars directing strict compliance with the Supreme Court’s guidelines, but alleged that firecrackers were still being burst on public roads, near hospitals and in silence zones. He also submitted that non-green firecrackers remained easily available in local markets because they were cheaper than green ones.
“Some timings” have to be kept, Bench remarks
The Bench observed during the hearing that the permitted window of 8 pm to 10 pm for bursting firecrackers was not being strictly observed during festivals. In oral remarks, the Court said:
“Bursting of firecrackers goes on till wee hours, after 9.30 pm only it starts. Some timings for bursting crackers have to be maintained.”
These remarks were made orally. The Court has not yet ruled on the merits of the petition.
Three weeks to report, next hearing on December 9
Having heard the submissions, the Bench reiterated that the timing of firecracker use must be regulated. It issued notice to the State and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and asked the State to report, within three weeks, the measures taken to implement the Supreme Court’s guidelines. The matter is listed for further hearing on December 9, 2026.
Why the hearing matters
The directions in Arjun Gopal fix time windows, limit sales to green crackers and restrict bursting in sensitive areas, but their enforcement rests with State authorities. By seeking a compliance report from Karnataka, the High Court has opened a route to examine whether those directions are followed beyond Diwali, during the many festivals and public celebrations when noise and air pollution spike. The State’s response will show what monitoring, if any, exists on the ground in Bengaluru and other cities.
Case Title: Vinod Jacob v. State of Karnataka & Others [W.P. No. 33592 of 2026]
Bench: Justice Anu Sivaraman and Justice K.S. Bharath Kumar, High Court of Karnataka
Date of Hearing: November 12, 2026
For Petitioner: Advocate Alwyn Sebastian
Next Date: December 9, 2026
