Bursting firecrackers after 10pm on Kali Puja and Diwali could get you arrested, city police warned on Friday as they geared up to implement the Supreme Court’s order restricting their use to non-polluting fireworks and a two-hour timeframe of 8-10pm.

The apex court has said that the officers-in-charge of police stations would be held responsible for any deviation from its order in the areas under their jurisdiction. Failure to enforce the order would be treated as contempt of court.

The onus of implementation on the police has triggered a scramble to devise ways to enforce the firecracker ban beyond the specified period.

Police officers said that in previous years, any violation of rules regarding the use of firecrackers would be registered as a case of disorderly conduct. Such cases are generally closed after the offender pays a fine and the court records confirm that he or she does not have a criminal record.

Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar told his officers during a regulation Diwali briefing that they should strictly enforce the Supreme Court’s order during Kali Puja and Diwali.

“Arresting an individual under Section 188 of the IPC (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) leads to a criminal case and could lead to imprisonment of six months,” an officer in the south division said.

Another senior officer said that arresting someone under Section 188 would entail registering an FIR, in which case the matter would go to court. This could be a hindrance to someone applying for a passport or renewing one.

“Someone can be denied a passport on the basis of an existing criminal case against the applicant’s name. People should be aware of the consequences (of bursting firecrackers beyond the stipulated time),” the officer said.

Police stations across the city have started organising meetings with residents of housing complexes and standalone highrises to raise awareness about the Supreme Court’s order.

The one question being asked at such meetings is whether any allowance wouldn’t be made for the fact that Diwali firecrackers are usually burst after 10pm in households that perform Lakshmi Puja. “Our children wait the entire year to celebrate Diwali. We are law-abiding citizens. We do not burst banned firecrackers. It is sad that there is a blanket ban on the use of firecrackers after 10pm,” said a resident of Alipore Road.

A New Alipore businessman said it would be difficult to strictly follow the directive since the “real celebration” by his family and relatives on Diwali night starts after 10pm. “We have Lakshmi Puja at home till then. Only after that does the entire family gather on our lawn to burst firecrackers. We finish by early morning,” he said.

Police officers said they were anticipating resistance from various quarters while enforcing the apex court’s directive. “We usually keep an eye on housing complexes and other highrises. We have distributed leaflets, held meetings and spread the message about the law through the presidents and secretaries of residents’ associations. If we still face trouble, the law will take its own course,” an officer said.