The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant permission for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Idgah Maidan in Bengaluru and ordered status quo on land by both parties. The order was passed by a Bench of Justices Indira Banerjee, AS Oka and MM Sundresh at 6.20 P.M. well past the normal working hours of the court.
The SC said for 200 years the ground was not used for such purposes and there was no reason to change it now.
The Bench also returned the matter on land ownership back to the single-judge of the High Court to be decided on merits. “Status quo as of today to be maintained. Issues to be taken up by single-judge. SLP disposed of,” the order said.
The court was hearing two appeals filed by Central Muslim Association of Karnataka and the Karnataka State Board of Auqaf (appellants) challenging a Karnataka High Court verdict. The petitioners approached the top court against the State’s permission for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on what they claimed to be Waqf property.