Gujarat High Court allows sale of seized firecrackers, says case will continue

The petition came after a coordinate bench of the high court had disposed of her petition in March, directing her to approach PESO. The organisation, however, permitted only the transfer of the firecrackers to the premises of the proposed purchaser, Madhav Pyro LLP—which had in July 2025 shown willingness to buy the stock—but did not permit their sale.

‘Holding on to seized crackers serves no purpose’

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Bhargav Bhatt told the court his client wanted to sell the entire stock to Madhav Pyro LLP and that holding on to the seized goods “would not serve any purpose, having regard to the nature of the proceedings initiated against the petitioner”. He further argued that the authorities were “likely to destroy the aforesaid firecrackers, which would not advance the respondents’ case in any manner” while the petitioner would suffer “substantial financial loss”.

He also flagged a fresh communication from the buyer, dated March 25, that he said recorded Madhav Pyro LLP’s renewed willingness to purchase, though the letter itself was not placed on record, the court noted in its oral order.

Advocate Ankit Shah, appearing for PESO, initially strongly opposed the petition, submitting that the March 2026 order was “just, legal, and proper” and had been passed “keeping in view the larger public interest”.

The court order noted, however, that Shah “could not dispute the fact” that a supervised sale to a validly licensed buyer, on terms fixed by PESO, would cause it “no prejudice” to the organisation and conceded that the court could take the final call.

High Court lists safeguards

The high court allowed the application, clearing the way for the sale subject to a strict set of safeguards. The court order states that the petitioner must deposit Rs 50,000 with PESO within two weeks along with a fresh consent letter from Madhav Pyro LLP, spelling out the quantity to be purchased and the total sale price, including GST.

Jani has also been directed to give a week’s advance notice before shifting the stock so an officer can be deputed to supervise both the loading and the unloading, and must bear all costs of the move and the supervision herself. The court also clarified that PESO is entitled to deduct its expenses from the deposit before refunding the balance within two weeks of delivery.

The high court order also requires a panchnama to be drawn up at the site before the firecrackers are moved, stating that, “in view of the fact that the proceedings under the Explosives Act are pending against the petitioner”. The court also clarified that the permission granted was purely logistical and it “shall not, in any manner, affect or prejudice the proceedings initiated against the petitioner”.

The main writ petition challenging the suspension of the petitioner’s licence will be heard on September 7.