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Environmental Law

M.C. Mehta v. Union of India; 2025 INSC 1233 - Diwali -Green Crackers

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• 2 min read

Diwali - Green crackers have substantially reduced the emission - Directions issued regarding sale of green crackers. (Para 24)

Environment - Firecrackers- Bursting firecrackers is an expression of the festive spirit and it enhances the mood in religious and other auspicious ceremonies, embedded in the cultural milieu of India. However that cannot lead to a situation of causing long term or even short term damage to health by an uncontrolled use, based only on traditions and cultural or religious norms. We cannot but reiterate, as this Court held oftener than ever, that the commercial considerations and the festive spirit should take a back seat when it concerns the environment and health. (Para 1)

Case Info


Key Details

  • Case name: M.C. Mehta v. Union of India & Ors.
  • Neutral citation: 2025 INSC 1233
  • Coram: B. R. Gavai, CJI; K. Vinod Chandran, J.
  • Judgment date: October 15, 2025
  • Proceeding: I.A. Nos. 208841/2025, 208905/2025, 206552/2025 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 13029 of 1985.

Caselaws and citations

  • Arjun Gopal & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors., W.P. (C) No. 728 of 2015.
    • Referenced for prior regulatory framework on firecrackers, including orders dated 12.09.2017 and 23.10.2018.
  • Prior order in the same matter: M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, order dated 19.12.2024 upholding Delhi’s ban and extending to NCR.

Statutes / laws / regulations referred

  • Explosives Act and Explosives Rules (implementation, licensing, and enforcement context).
  • PESO licensing regime and enforcement measures.
  • Environmental regulatory framework: references to CPCB, State Pollution Control Boards, DPCC, and CAQM roles.
  • Scientific and regulatory inputs from CSIR-NEERI (green cracker formulations, SOPs, QR codes, testing standards).

Notable directions and timings (summarized)

  • Limited sale of NEERI-listed green crackers in NCR from 18.10.2025 to 20.10.2025 at designated locations.
  • Bursting windows: 6:00–7:00 AM and 8:00–10:00 PM on the day before and on Diwali.
  • Prohibitions: barium, laris (series crackers), and all e-commerce sales; prevent entry into NCR from outside.
  • Enforcement and monitoring by PESO, Police, SPCBs/DPCC, with QR verification and random sampling; AQI monitoring from 14.10.2025 to 25.10.2025.
  • Temporary, test-case relaxation; matter to be listed after three weeks.
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India; 2025 INSC 1233 - Diwali -Green Crackers
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India; 2025 INSC 1233 - Diwali -Green Crackers.pdf
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