Bombay HC pulls plug on Kala Ghoda fest at Cross Maidan for 2 days

Mumbai: The organisers of Kala Ghoda festival in South Mumbai will not be able to hold cultural events, as part of the festival, at least for two days at Cross Maidan because the Bombay high court has adjourned the hearing on petition filed by it, seeking permission to hold such events on the ground, till Monday. As the Kala Ghoda junction falls in a silent zone, musical events as part of the festival are scheduled to be held at Kala Ghoda festival in South Mumbai festival in South Mumbai.  

The division bench of Justice AS Oka and Justice P.N. Deshmukh also reprimanded the government for giving prime public property free of cost for eight days to hold this event with no condition. The court adjourned hearing after the state government informed the HC that on Monday it will pass an additional detailed order on why they are allowing Kala Ghoda festival at Cross Maidan. The event was supposed to be held at Cross Maidan between February 3 and 11.

Organisers of Kala Ghoda festival the Kala Ghoda Association and Organisation for Verdant Ambience and Land (OVAL) had to approach the high court seeking permission for these events, as the HC in its earlier order has directed that organisers should seek this court’s permission before organising any event, other than sports activity, at Cross Maidan.

Though the city collector on January 30 by an order has already granted permission for these events at Cross Maidan but after perusing collector’s order, the bench observed that the order was passed without proper application of mind and without according proper reasons.

Justice Oka said that the bench is of the opinion that a public property, especially one that is situated in a prime location, cannot be allowed to be used free of cost and without imposing any condition.

The government pleader S.U. Kamdar then told the court that the government would pass an additional detailed order with reasons on February 5.