CASE COMMENT: ARJUN GOPAL AND ORS. v/s UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. (2017-2018), FIRECRACKERS REGULATION CASE

This case commentary reviews the Supreme Court of India's judgment in Arjun Gopal and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors. (2017-2018), concerning firecracker regulation amid severe air pollution in the National Capital Region during Deepavali. Petitioned by children invoking the constitutional right to clean air (Article 21), the Court balanced this against the right to trade, rejecting a total ban in favor of a graded regulatory framework. The ruling mandates compliance with Explosives Rules, limits on chemical compositions and licensing, promotion of eco-friendly "green crackers," scientific research, public awareness, and strict enforcement. It reinforces the constitutional priority of health and clean air, signaling potential for stricter future regulations based on emerging evidence.