The Supreme Court Today (April 8) ended a case against Jharkhand’s power cuts during Ram Navami after the state followed all directions. Authorities ensured minimum outages and safety during the religious procession.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India today ended a legal case that was filed by the Jharkhand government. This case was about a previous order from the Jharkhand High Court, which had stopped the state’s electricity board from cutting off power supply during religious festivals, including Ram Navami processions.
A special bench of the Supreme Court, including Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, looked at the matter and accepted what senior lawyer Kapil Sibal said in the court on behalf of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led state government.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court Allows Jharkhand to Ensure Safety During Ram Navami: “Cut Power Supply”
Kapil Sibal told the court that the government had followed the directions properly. He said the power supply was only cut for a very short time during Ram Navami this year. He also informed the judges that the Supreme Court’s earlier direction about not cutting power in hospitals was also followed.
He said,
“There should not be any disruption in power supply to hospitals”.
Because the government followed the court’s instructions, the top court said that the case could now be closed. Kapil Sibal also added that a compliance affidavit (a written confirmation that rules were followed) would be filed soon.
After this, the Supreme Court closed the case that was filed by the Jharkhand government against the High Court’s April 3 order.
The original issue began when the Jharkhand High Court, in a suo motu (taken up on its own) case, stopped the Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) and other related authorities from cutting off electricity during religious events.
After this, the state government rushed to the Supreme Court on April 4 and asked for urgent relief. The Supreme Court listened to their request and changed the High Court’s decision. It gave permission to the JBVNL to cut the power supply on the Ram Navami procession routes, but only to prevent any accidents like electrocution.
The Supreme Court noted that the state government told them this kind of power cut during religious processions had been happening for over 20 years, only to avoid accidents. In fact, in April 2000, 28 people had died due to electrocution during a religious event.
The court then clearly told the state that the power cuts should be very short and only on the routes where the procession takes place.
Ram Navami, the religious festival which celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, was observed on April 6 this year.
Earlier, the High Court had taken action after receiving complaints that there were power cuts in Ranchi during the Sarhul festival on April 1. So, the High Court told the state government that there should not be any power shutdowns during religious events and processions.
ALSO READ: Medha Patkar Won’t Be Jailed For Defaming Delhi LG VK Saxena: Saket Court
The High Court also told the government to immediately set a maximum height limit for poles, flags, and other items carried during these events, so that they do not come in contact with electric wires and cause danger.
The case is now officially closed after the Supreme Court agreed that the state followed all necessary precautions during Ram Navami and will submit a formal affidavit.
Would You Like Assistance In Drafting A Legal Notice Or Complaint?
CLICK HERE
Click Here to Read Our Reports on Waqf
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
