The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to reconsider a request by the Food and Supply Bar Association for allotment of land at Kamla Mandir Park, Mangalpuri, for holding the Shri Krishna Janmashtami Mahotsav, after the petitioner’s booking of the venue was cancelled. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, in an order dated September 2, 2026, noted that the cancellation followed an email dated August 24 seeking cancellation, while the petitioner contended that it had already deposited ₹4 lakh and booked the venue till September 4.
The dispute also concerned the applicable DDA policy governing use of such land. DUSIB submitted that permission had been granted only for 1,000 sq. metres, whereas the petitioner relied on a 2016 DDA circular permitting Category-I(C) land to be used for functions including Ram Leela, Janmashtami, Durga Puja, Dussehra and Navratri, with regulated temporary activities such as joy rides and stalls subject to specified area limits. The petitioner further argued that the e-auction portal described the venue as an open space.
The Court observed prima facie that although a new policy had been formulated on August 14, 2026, DUSIB appeared to have continued applying the older policy while dealing with the petitioner’s application. The Court left this issue open for consideration at the next hearing.
In view of the imminent Janmashtami festival and the fact that, despite cancellation, the venue had not been allotted to any other person, the Court directed DUSIB to reconsider the petitioner’s request for allotment of the land for the Janmashtami festival and take a decision by 2 PM on September 3, 2026, in accordance with the applicable rules, regulations and policy. The writ petition remains pending on other issues and has been listed for November 30, 2026.