New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay sale of firecrackers across the country, although it put certain restrictions on the use of firecrackers.

A two-judge division bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri, passed the order after hearing in detail the arguments from the three petitioners and respondents.

The apex court has fixed the duration for bursting crackers time on the day of Diwali from 8pm to 10 pm and during other religious festivals, it will be between 11.45pm and 12.45am.

The three petitioners who had moved the top court seeking a complete ban on sale of firecrackers were (in the age group of 5-7 years) Arjun Gopal and Pooja Dhar and one other.
The top court also made it clear that those persons who did not comply with the SC order, will face contempt of court proceedings.