The Calcutta High Court Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj while dealing with the Public Interest Litigation concerning State Authorities to ensure Proper safeguards and the Crowdcontrolling measures and avoiding large gatherings at Durga Puja Pandal, ordered that all the Durga Puja Pandals shall be made no-entry zones for members of the public in view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Background
The present petition was filed in public interest seeking a direction to the State Authorities to make proper arrangements so that there is no large gathering during the Puja festival at different places. The learned counsel further referred to detailed orders passed by this Court on October 19, 2020, and October 21, 2020, in WPA 8520 of 2020. The submission was that the same protocols be followed for the current year as well. The main idea of this Plea was to control the crowd at the Durga Puja Pandal and adhere to the Covid Safeguards.
Order of the Court
Court ordered the State to adhere to the previous year Durga Puja guidelines that had issued extensive guidelines in order to ensure maintenance of Covid protocol during the festivities. The Court had stated earlier that if pandals are made no-entry zones and a certain distance from all sides of the pandals are covered as a part of the no-entry zone, the public at large would be aware that there wouldn't be any access within the pandals or even close to the same and the affinity to take to the streets may be less. The Petition was accordingly dismissed.
Case details
Title: AJAY KUMAR DE V. THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.
Bench: Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj
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