Reply to contempt plea: Bombay HC to Ashish Shelar

The Bombay high court on Wednesday directed the state government and BJP leader Ashish Shelar to file their replies on a contempt of court petition filed against Mr Shelar regarding the organisation of Dahi Handis in the state this year. The petitioner has claimed that Mr Shelar, who was the head of the Dahi Handi Samiti set up by the government in February last year, failed to comply with the high court directions on precautions to be taken during the Dahi Handi festival.

A division bench of justices V.M. Kanade and Revati Mohite Dere was hearing a petition filed by Swati Patil seeking contempt action to be initiated against the principal secretary of home department Swadheen Kshatriya and Ashish Shelar, head of the Dahi Handi Samiti. The samiti was set up by the government following directions from the high court on precautions and restrictions during the Dahi Handi festival.

The high court, among other directions, had asked the government to ensure that Dahi the Handi (formation) was restricted to only four layers and the height is reduced. In her petition, Ms Patil claimed that the high court directions were flouted by several pandals across the state and the samiti and its members failed in complying with the court orders. The bench, while seeking response of the government and Mr Shelar, said, “Adults can take part in any sport as they have the right to do so. But children are involved here and hence we have to keep their interest in mind.”

“Our orders should be taken in the right spirit. Our intentions are not to be a spoilsport. Organisers should be responsible,” the court said while adjourning the petition for four weeks.