Amended safety norms for permanent fireworks shops do not apply to temporary festival licences, Kerala High Court holds

21 October 2026

Justice G. Girish decided Prasanth K. v. The District Collector and Anr., WP(C) No. 31093 of 2026, reported as 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 584.
The case concerned amendments to Rules 83 and 86 of the Explosives Rules, 2008.
Rule 83 requires a standalone single-storeyed building, and Rule 86 adds detection and alarm systems, sprinklers and backup power.
The Court held that these requirements cannot be insisted upon when considering applications for temporary fireworks shop licences, which are governed by Rule 84.
It relied on sub-rule 7 of Rule 86, which speaks of an existing fireworks shop, to read the requirements as meant for permanent shops.
The authorities were directed to consider and decide the petitioner's temporary licence application without applying the Rule 86 amendments.