The Bombay High Court today directed the Mumbai police commissioner and the principal secretary of the Maharashtra public health department to take steps to ensure safety of 'Govindas' (who form human pyramids), especially the minor ones, during the Dahi Handi festival.
Teams of 'Govindas' form pyramids that sometimes rise upto nine-ten levels during the festival which celebrates the birth of lord Krishna. Every year several cases of Govindas falling down and getting injured are recorded in Mumbai and elsewhere in the state.
The division bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M S Sonak was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Vinothan Raman, seeking a direction to the police to ensure safety during the festival, and also seeking a ban on participation of minor girls.
The HC, however, said the petitioner can make a representation before the police commissioner and the state public health department, and disposed of the petition.
"The commissioner of police and principal secretary of state public health department shall consider the representation and take necessary steps to ensure safety of persons participating in Dahi Handi festivities in the future," the court said.
