19 hrs ago
Bombay HC Sends Bhandup Dahi Handi Venue Dispute To BMC
Two groups want to hold a Dahi Handi celebration at the same place in Bhandup.
One group is led by Shiv Sena leader Sandip Jalgaonkar.
He says his group has organised the event there for several years.
The other group has also applied to use the same spot.
The Bombay High Court said two celebrations cannot use the exact same location at the same time.
It said the BMC, not the police, should decide who receives permission.
The BMC commissioner must meet representatives of both groups on September 4.
Each group can send only two representatives and supporters cannot gather at the office.
The commissioner’s decision will be final.
The Bombay High Court directed the BMC commissioner to resolve competing applications for a September 5 Dahi Handi event.
The dispute concerns Ashok Kedare Chowk in Bhandup West, where Shiv Sena leader Sandip Jalgaonkar said he had organised the event for several years.
The court said multiple Dahi Handi permissions may be possible, but two handis cannot be held at the same spot.
The bench criticised the Bhandup police for suggesting preference for the previous organiser and said the BMC should have decided the applications.
The commissioner must hear two representatives from each side on September 4 and issue a final decision.
- Who
- The BMC commissioner, Shiv Sena leader Sandip Jalgaonkar, and a rival applicant seeking permission for the event.
- What
- The Bombay High Court directed the BMC commissioner to decide which group can hold a Dahi Handi celebration at the disputed venue.
- Where
- Ashok Kedare Chowk, Bhandup West, Mumbai.
- When
- The event is planned for September 5, 2026; the commissioner’s meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. on September 4.
- Why
- Two groups submitted competing applications for the same location, while the BMC had referred the matter to the police instead of deciding it.
Jalgaonkar’s Group
Rival Applicant
Permission for the venue
Jalgaonkar’s Group
Sandip Jalgaonkar’s group sought permission and said it had organised the annual Dahi Handi Utsav at the location for several years.
Rival Applicant
The rival applicant also sought permission to hold the celebration at Ashok Kedare Chowk; the article does not identify the applicant or provide its stated grounds.
Basis for deciding the dispute
Jalgaonkar’s Group
The group’s previous organisation of the event was cited in the dispute.
Rival Applicant
The court said previous organisation alone cannot automatically determine who receives permission.
Key facts
- Event
- Dahi Handi celebrations
- Proposed date
- September 5, 2026
- Disputed venue
- Ashok Kedare Chowk, Bhandup West
- Decision-maker
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner
- Hearing format
- Two representatives per side, with 15 minutes for each side to present its case
- Court’s direction
- The commissioner’s decision will be final
- Previous year
- The High Court refused permission to both the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the MNS at the same chowk.
Quotes
Bombay High Court bench
The bench hearing the dispute over permissions for the Bhandup Dahi Handi celebration.
“Corporation should have shouldered the responsibility,”
freepressjournal.in
“We find police has no business to make such comment”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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