The Kerala High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the devastating fireworks accident that occurred during preparations for the Thrissur Pooram fireworks display on April 21. A division bench comprising Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and A K Preetha issued notices to the state government, the state police chief, the Cochin Devaswom Board, Paramekkavu Devaswom, and Thiruvambady Devaswom. The court has adjourned the matter to June 16.
Background of the Case
The suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) was initiated following a directive from the Chief Justice of the High Court on April 27, in response to the tragic incident that resulted in 16 deaths, multiple injuries, and significant property damage. This is not the first time the High Court has intervened in fireworks-related accidents. In 2016, the court had initiated a suo motu case based on a letter from former judge Justice V Chitambaresh after the Puttingal Devi Temple fireworks tragedy, which claimed over 100 lives and caused extensive property damage.
Previous Directives and Recurrence
In 2021, a division bench disposed of the earlier petition with specific directives regarding the regulation of and safety measures for fireworks displays. However, the recurrence of such a tragedy despite these directives has prompted the court to take up the matter again. The present PIL notes that following the Thrissur fireworks accident on April 21, the High Court received several representations highlighting continued violations and inadequate enforcement of the court's earlier directives, as well as the relevant Rules and Acts.
Legal Concerns
The petition further observes that the accident raises serious concerns regarding the enforcement of the Explosives Act, related Rules, and allied statutory provisions governing explosive substances. The PIL seeks to examine these issues comprehensively and consider appropriate directives to ensure strict compliance with statutory safety requirements for conducting fireworks displays. The court aims to prevent future tragedies by ensuring that all safety protocols are rigorously followed.
