HC nod for Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park

But, this may be the last time the party is allowed to hold its rally at Shivaji Park in Dadar as the court today asked Shiv Sena to look for alternate venue like the MMRDA ground in suburban Bandra for next year's rally. Shiv Sena has been holding the rally at this venue since over 40 years.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice N M Jamdar has granted permission, but imposed certain conditions like the party will use distributive sound system, instead of loud speakers and also put up sound barriers around the ground. The rally is to be held on October 24.

The party had approached the high court after the BMC refused to grant permission stating Shivaji Park is a silence zone declared so by the court in 2010.

The bench has also directed Shiv Sena to adhere to sound pollution norms and maintain decibel level below 60 and also ensure that cricket pitches in the ground are not damaged during the rally. The party will also have to take steps to restore the ground after its rally.

Appearing for the Sena, advocate V A Thorat argued that the rally, which has been held for more than 40 years, has acquired political and religious importance.

Counsel for NGO Wecom Trust, under whose PIL, the court had declared Shivaji Park as silence zone, argued that the party had flouted noise pollution norms last year despite assurance to court.

The court, while granting permission, has however, asked the political party to look for an alternate venue for future rallies.