New fireworks shop safety norms do not apply to temporary festival licences, Kerala High Court rules

15 October 2026

Justice G. Girish of the Kerala High Court held that the amended requirements under Rules 83 and 86 of the Explosives Rules, 2008 cannot be insisted upon while deciding applications for temporary fireworks shop licences. Amended Rule 83 requires a shop to be on the ground floor of a standalone single-storey building with an independent entrance, outward-opening doors and fire extinguishers, while amended Rule 86 adds fire detection and alarm systems, sprinklers and backup power. The Court held that Rule 84, not Rules 83 and 86, sets the requirements and eligibility conditions for temporary licences. It relied on sub-rule 7 of Rule 86, which refers to an existing fireworks shop, to conclude that the amendments target permanent shops. The authorities were directed to decide the petitioner's temporary licence application without applying the Rule 86 amendment requirements. The case is Prasanth K. v. District Collector, WP(C) 31093/2026, reported as 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 584.