Supreme Court allows club to make merry at Shivaji Park

Mumbai: The Supreme Court’s permission to Dadar’s Shivaji Park Gymkhana (SPG) to hold two events on December 25 and 31, for celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve, on its lawn has not gone down well with the respondent, Wecom Trust, comprising residents of Shivaji Park. The SC has allowed SPG to hold the functions for just three hours, and without loudspeakers, on its lawns. But the residents say that while the SC has laid down strict orders regarding not using loudspeakers or holding events beyond 10 pm, SPG may not abide by the same, thus inconveniencing locals. The SPG authorities, meanwhile, have said that they would abide by the order.

Ashok Rawat of Wecom Trust said they respect the SC order and expect the state and the police to ensure that it is implemented in its entirety. “The high court order that rejected SPG’s application to conduct its Christmas and New Year events was based on the fact that Shivaji Park is marked as a silent zone. But the SC has overruled the order and laid down strictures. If these are violated, we will bring it to the notice of the apex court,” Mr Rawat said.

Sunil Ramachandra, assistant general secretary, SPG, said on his part, “With regard to the fund-raising dinner planned for December 31, we have sent out the SC order to the members and are awaiting their response. If the numbers are insufficient we may not hold it as the time limit that the SC has given is less.”