Nagpur: The pre-Diwali police checks have exposed the sale of counterfeit green firecrackers across markets, with several traders allegedly using fake barcodes and QR codes to pass off banned crackers as varieties certified by CSIR-NEERI.
City police have inspected stocks at nearly 400 firecracker outlets over the past few days and are preparing to register offences against traders using fake labels. So far, around 10 cases have been registered for various licence and safety violations. Commissioner of Police Vishwas Nangre Patil has reinforced the restrictions through a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Effective from Nov 6 to midnight on Nov 14, 2026, the order bans bursting of firecrackers on public roads, in accordance with the High Court’s Sept 23 direction. Bursting is also prohibited within 200 feet of petrol pumps, LPG cylinder godowns, kerosene depots, firecracker shops and storage sites of inflammable or chemical materials.
Instead of displaying manufacturer details, PESO licence information or emission-compliance data, most of the codes produced no results or led to blank pages, police said. Zonal DCP Rahul Madane said police were exploring legal action against traders using fake barcodes. “We are now seeking legal advice to register cheating cases,” he said. Senior officers said the non-functional barcodes, often printed below the green National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) logo on packets of bombs, anars and other high-intensity crackers, amounted to deliberate deception of buyers and authorities.
Police have seized large stocks and declared them unfit for sale. The checks follow directions from the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, which has ordered police to ensure that only certified green crackers are sold and noise levels remain within prescribed limits. The court has also barred bursting of firecrackers on public roads and sought stricter compliance with Explosives Act conditions.