Bombay HC Dismisses PIL Seeking Uniform Rules For Celebration Of Ganpati Utsav

The Bombay High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to frame uniform rules and regulations for the celebrations of the Ganpati Utsav as per the traditional practices.

The bench of Acting Chief Justice S.V.Gangapurwala and Justice Sandeep V. Marne was dealing with a plea filed by one Pushkaraj Shekherrao Indurkar.

The petitioner had sought directions to frame uniform Rules and Regulations for Ganpati Utsav and also sought directions for safety measures for the public gathering at Ganpati worship place.

Advocate Bhushan U. Deshmukh appeared for the Petitioner and R. A. Salunkhe, AGP appeared for the State.

The Court observed that the petitioner had not mentioned a single instance as to how the safety measures are not taken. The Court also noted that the petitioner did not suggest any such measures.

The Court further observed that the same petitioner had filed a PIL in 2016 which was rejected whereby directions were sought not to give permission for celebrating Ganpati festival to the unregistered Ganpati Mandals and to take action against Ganpati Mandals for collecting donation, so also, to frame guidelines for safety of the gathering people at Ganpati festivals.

The Court observed that a second PIL for the same purpose would not be tenable.

“For the same purpose, the second PIL would not be tenable. The Court had observed in its order dated 2nd September 2016 in PIL No.149 of 2016 that there is no mention about a particular incident. In the present matter also, no such instances are provided for.”, the Court noted.

Accordingly, the Court dismissed the PIL.

“In view of order dated 2nd September 2016, present PIL cannot be considered. The PIL, as such, is dismissed.”, the Court held.

Cause Title- Pushkaraj Shekherrao Indurkar v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.

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