Kerala HC stays ban on bursting of crackers in religious places at odd hours

The Kerala High Court Tuesday partially modified its earlier order banning bursting of crackers in religious places at odd times and said it can be allowed on the basis of the Supreme Court’s earlier direction. District Collectors can give permission based on the situation, the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court headed by the Chief Justice said. The court also had put a stay on the order to conduct raids at religious places and seize the “illegally stored crackers”. The High Court was considering the appeal filed by various stakeholders, including the state government, in the matter. On November 3, Justice Amit Rawal had banned the use of crackers in religious places at odd hours and said there are no commandments in any of the holy books that mandate the bursting of crackers to please God. The Kerala government Tuesday informed the court that there was already a ban on bursting crackers from 10 PM to 6 AM. The government also informed that there are some relaxations when it comes to festivals. The state government soon after the HC order banning the crackers at odd times had said that it will appeal against the same. With inputs from PTI