Kochi: A division bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday banned fireworks with high decibel crackers in places worships between sunset and sunrise across the state.
In a special sitting on Tuesday, the bench comprising Justice Thottathil Radhakrishnan and Justice Anu Sivaraman, issued the interim order in the suo motu proceedings initiated by the court based on a letter written by Justice V. Chitam-baresh in the wake of the firework mishap in Puttingal Temple near Paravur in Kollam district. The court, which allowed fireworks with a maximum of 140 decibels during daytime, stated that it should be held strictly under the law.
The court will hold the next hearing in the case on April 14 at 4 pm, the day when Vishu will be celebrated. The court has also suggested for a CBI probe into the Puttingal firework mishap and said that the state government itself should initiate the steps in this regard.
The court said the officials of the Central and state governments must ensure that there is no use of explosives as stipulated in Explosive Rules 2008 in any part of the state.
In case of any lack of supervisory control by the officials concerned, it would be considered as dereliction of duties inviting stringent action.
Seven give up in Kerala temple fire
Seven committee members of Puttingal temple, who went absconding after the tragic accident on Sunday, surrendered before the Crime Branch investigation team on Tuesday. They informed that three loads of explosives were used for the competitive fireworks.
