The Hindu : New Delhi News : Supreme Court allows UP to hold Lucknow Mahotsav

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 22, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Supreme Court allows UP to hold Lucknow Mahotsav

J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday permitted the Uttar Pradesh government to hold ‘Lucknow Mahotsav’ on November 25 in the 107-acre area of Smriti Upavan but made it clear that no permanent structures could be erected for this purpose.

A Bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam passed the interim order on a special leave petition filed by the State against an order of the Allahabad High Court restraining the government from erecting any structures for holding the function and directing that the status quo be maintained.

The Bench after hearing senior counsel Harish Salve for the State stayed the proceedings in the High Court and posted the matter for further hearing on December 12. It said only temporary structures could be erected but allowed the government to make any changes for holding the function.

The State in its SLP said the High Court had passed the restraint order presuming that the construction activities were being continued in violation of the High Court directions. It said the construction work was undertaken in accordance with law and an amount of Rs.3 crores had been spent out of the allocation of Rs.4 crores.

The work was on the verge of completion in view of the Lucknow Mahotsav to be held on November 25.

It said the festival was an annual event in which artistes from all over the country would participate.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi