The Bombay High Court has declined to grant immediate relief to the Mithila Chhath Puja Sangh, which sought permission to organise Chhath Puja celebrations at Mumbai’s Girgaon Chowpatty on November 15 and 16, 2026.
A Division Bench of Justice Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale and Justice Advait M. Sethna was hearing the Sangh’s urgent petition challenging the refusal of the DB Marg Police Station to permit the construction of a stage and other arrangements for the festival.
The police had cited an earlier High Court order restricting programmes at Girgaon Chowpatty to Ganeshotsav, Navratri Utsav, Ramlila, Krishnalila and Christmas, subject to permission from the concerned departments.
The Bench noted that under an earlier order in Adarsh Chowpatty Pragati Mandal v. State of Maharashtra, a Monitoring Committee had been appointed to oversee events and temporary structures at the beach. When asked whether the Committee’s permission had been obtained and why it had not been impleaded, the petitioner’s counsel could not provide a satisfactory answer.
The Court also observed that the right to freedom of religion under Article 25 of the Constitution is subject to public order, morality and health. The Sangh had also sought directions for an alternative venue. The Bench declined to express any opinion on the request, leaving the petitioner free to pursue remedies available under law.
The Court declined to pass further orders at this stage and directed that the matter be listed after the court reopens.
