SC To hear plea on pyramid height during Dahi Handi

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday to hear a petition challenging the Bombay high court’s order, which restricts the height of human pyramids during

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday to hear a petition challenging the Bombay high court’s order, which restricts the height of human pyramids during the famous Dahi-Handi festival in Maharashtra to 20 feet.

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A bench headed by justice AR Dave, however, said it will hear the petitioner, on whose plea the HC last year issued directions to the state government, before passing any verdict.

“We will give the order you want, but after hearing the petitioner,” the bench told additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who on behalf of the state government requested the apex court to stay the HC directives.

The court issued a notice to Swati Sayaji Patil and asked her to be present on August 17, the next date of hearing. Patil has filed a contempt petition against the state alleging it has not implemented the HC order.

The SC’s decision to revive the appeal, assailing the HC order, came after the state moved an application seeking a clarification on whether children under 18 years can participate in the human pyramid formation.

The HC had banned those below 18 years to take part. On an appeal, the SC had stayed the implementation of the HC order.

Later, however, it declared the petition infructuous because the festival was over. No final opinion was delivered on the merits of the case.

In the absence of a clear verdict from the SC there is confusion on the status of the HC directions, the state has told the top court.