Now Reading: Bombay HC denies immediate relief to Chhath Puja organisers
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Bombay HC denies immediate relief to Chhath Puja organisers
The Story in Brief
The Bombay High Court on Monday, 9 November 2026, refused to grant immediate permission to the Mithila Chhath Puja Sangh to hold Chhath Puja celebrations at Mumbai's Girgaon Chowpatty on 15 and 16 November. A vacation bench of Justices Advait M Sethna and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale heard the petition challenging the DB Marg police station's refusal, which was based on a September 17 letter citing a High Power Committee directive restricting events at the beach to Ganeshotsav, Navratri Utsav, Ramlila, Krishnalila and Christmas.
The court noted that the organisers had not obtained prior permission from the court-appointed Monitoring Committee, as required by a 2018 High Court order. The bench observed that religious freedom under Article 25 is subject to public order, morality and health. The court declined to direct an alternative venue but said the petitioners could pursue other legal remedies. The matter is listed for further hearing later in November 2026.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both India Today and Free Press Journal report the same set of facts: the Bombay High Court denied immediate relief to the Mithila Chhath Puja Sangh, citing Article 25's public order restrictions and the organisers' failure to obtain permission from the court-appointed Monitoring Committee. India Today leads with the general constitutional principle of checks and balances, while Free Press Journal opens with the specific rejection and the police's September 17 directive restricting events at Chowpatty to five named festivals. Neither outlet adopts a critical or pro-government stance, both present a straight, procedural account centred on the court's legal reasoning. The coverage is uniform straight reporting, differing only in which detail each leads with. The matter is listed for further hearing later in November 2026.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): indiatoday.in (neutral report), freepressjournal.in (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
