Times Of India: Bombay High Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a plea by International Society for Krishna Consciousness to hold the Jagannath Yatra at Shivaji Park.
A bench of Justice V M Kanade and Justice Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi said ISKCON must move the bench which summarily dismissed its plea on February 12. The judges pointed out that Supreme Court which heard ISKCON's appeal against the dismissal had not set aside the HC's order. The apex court granted ISKCON liberty to apply afresh, it added.
On a petition by Wecom Trust, the HC on May 5, 2010 directed the Park to be notified as a silence zone considering the schools and hospitals in its vicinity. It carved out three exceptions - Republic Day, Maharashtra Day and Dr Ambedkar's death anniversary . On January 31, 2013 the court directed that Shivaji Park shall not be used for non-sporting activities. While permissions were subsequently granted, the court ultimately ordered that except for permitted events, others will not be allowed without its prior permission.
ISKCON's advocate argued that before HC rejected its plea, it was allowed thrice to hold the rath yatra. She also submitted that the State government has not notified the 45 days of exemption when the ground can be given for non-sporting events.