Nishka Srinivas Veluvali
Published On: January 18, 2022 at 17:17 IST
The Calcutta High Court Ordered the District Magistrate of Jhargram to announce a decision on the Jangal Mahal Utsav Mela directing for the postponement of the same.
The division Bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj were considering the Petition seeking a ban on Mela by referring to the rapid rise of COVID-19 Cases.
The High Court observed that, “The COVID-19 situation in the State of West Bengal is very grave. The Cases in the State are still rising and it may not be in the Public Interest to hold the Mela from 17th January, 2022”.
The Petition was filed by Pratik Maitra stating that by citing the reason of increasing COVID-19 Cases, the State has closed down all the educational institutions along with the postponement of the Kolkata International Film Festival so it would not be rational to conduct the Jangal Mahal Utsav Mela.
The Petitioner also submitted the reports stating that the Mela this year was to be conducted in six different places.
After considering the submissions and arguments of both sides, the High Court observed that the Jangal Mahal Utsav Mela is not being held on a particular date of the month or with regard to any particular lunar or solar eclipse.
The High Court after taking cognizance of the Order of the District Magistrate to restrict gathering of public as well as private vehicles which revealed the grave situation of COVID in Jhargram district, directed the District Magistrate to come to a decision with regard to the Mela within 24 hours.