New Delhi, Sept. 30 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday indicated it would permit the use of certain firecrackers during Diwali but impose specified time limits, ruling out both a blanket ban and unrestricted bursting of crackers.

A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale said a complete ban could hurt the sentiments of people celebrating Diwali, while allowing firecrackers throughout the day would adversely affect the environment and vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly and the sick.

"We are neither going to agree for a total ban nor allow them to do it for 24 hours," the court said, stressing the need to strike a balance by prescribing specific timings for bursting permissible firecrackers.

The apex court was hearing ...