Flame of hope flickers: Congress after Supreme Court rejects Centre’s plea on Nicobar petitions in Calcutta High Court

In a recent ruling, the Calcutta High Court has granted permission for a 56-year-old Durga Puja tradition to take place despite a disputed land issue. The Madan Mohan Krishti Parishad, a registered society, has been organizing the puja on the same premises for over 50 years. The court directed the police to allow the society to hold the celebration this year, but it did not decide the ownership rights of the land.

Instead, it left that matter to the civil court. The court emphasized that the earlier high court order preventing a Durga Puja in a residential building, which the respondent had relied upon, was invalid as they did not have permission from the flat owners. The court also noted that the respondent Trust had not demonstrated any right, title, or interest over the disputed land.

The judge highlighted that while there might be rivalry between the petitioner and respondent in organizing the Durga Puja, the petitioners had been convening the event for the past 56 years at the premises. The court did not address the ownership dispute and directed the police to grant permission for the Durga Puja to proceed.