'No Firecrackers Between 10PM To 6AM': Calcutta High Court Lays Down Guidelines For Shab-E-Barat Celebrations

The Calcutta High Court has laid down comprehensive guidelines for the bursting of firecrackers to mark the celebration of the festival of Shab-E-Barat.

A division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Partha Sarathi Sen held, "Subject to hearing the Pollution Control Board, we deem it proper to issue the following directions: (i) The Pollution Control Board and the police authorities shall ensure that no firecrackers which are not permissible and hazardous to environment, are permitted to be used during the festival. (ii) The firecrackers shall not be permitted to be used at night from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in the morning. (iii) It shall be the duty of the police department to provide adequate security to the petitioner and her family members during the festival."

The petitioner approached the court regarding the irregular bursting of firecrackers during “Shab-e-Barat”. It was submitted that the necessary direction may be issued to ensure that no illegal firecrackers are used by the people and there may be a time limit fixed for using the same.

Accordingly, the court issued the aforesaid directions and directed that an action taken report be filed before the next date of hearing.

Case: Miss Shagufta Sulaiman vs. The State of West Bengal and others 

Case No: WPA(P) 34 of 2026

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