Delhi HC Directs DDA To Consider Application For 'Ramleela' At Plot Earmarked For Judicial Quarters

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to consider an application for holding a Ramleela event on a plot in Shahdara, Delhi, which has been acquired by the Delhi Government for the construction of judicial staff quarters.

The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said, "..present application is disposed of with a direction to the respondent-DDA to decide the applicant’s application dated 21st July, 2024, in accordance with law within a week."

The application, submitted by an individual involved in organizing Ramleela events, was earlier rejected by the DDA on August 8, 2023, citing that the land had been offered to the Department of Law, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), for the purpose of building residential quarters for judicial officers. The DDA also referred to a previous court order from November 29, 2022, which had prohibited the use or allotment of the plot for any purpose other than judicial staff quarters.

The applicant, who had organized Ramleela at the same plot in 2022, requested permission to use the land for the 10-day festival, while undertaking not to interfere with the long-term plans for judicial housing.

The Bench noted that the DDA has a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place for allotting land for Ramleela events. The Court directed the DDA to decide on the application within a week, considering the applicant's request in accordance with this SOP.

If permission is granted, the Court directed the DDA to specify in the allotment letter that the land's use for Ramleela is temporary and will not affect the planned construction of judicial staff quarters. "If the DDA decides to grant permission to the applicant for holding of Ramleela at the said plot, it shall be specified in the allotment letter that the allotment is for a specific purpose and limited time frame and would not prejudice the longterm plans for judicial staff quarters," the Court said in its order dated September 11. 

With these directions, the Court disposed of the petition.

Cause Title: Sahil A Garg Narwarna v. Union of India & Ors. [W.P.(C) 600/2020]

Appearance:-

Respondent: Anil Soni (CGSC), Rakesh Kumar (CGSC), Advocates Ankit Jain, Divyanshu Rathi, Radhika Bansal, Manika Tripathi (standing counsel for DDA), Rony John, Abhijat, Piyush Gupta, Siddharth Sharma, Ishika Chauhan, Vipin

Click here to read/download the Order