Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of The Nanded Sikh Gurudwara Sachkhand, Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Board Vs Union of India & Others dated 19/10/2020.

The petitioner represents the Gurudwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib, Nanded district, Maharashtra. The petitioner has filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India seeking a direction to the authorities to grant permission for conducting Dussehra, Takhat Isnan, Deepmala Mahalla, Gurta Gaddi Kirtan and Gurta-Gaddi Samapthi Kirtan Darbar and Nagar Kirtan events.

Though the petitioner has come forward with a proposal of conducting the religious event on October 25, 2020 subject to conditions that would prevent any spread of Covid-19 virus, the Maharashtra government has said that any grant of permission for conducting a procession would be an invitation for danger to public health.

Justices L. Nageswara Rao, Hemant Gupta and Ajay Rastogi disposed of the application and said that the court would not interfere with the decision of the state government to not permit any religious procession at this stage. The apex court suggested that the petitioner could approach the Secretary, State Disaster Management Authority, Maharashtra and make a fresh proposal giving all the safeguards that could be taken by them for conducting procession and religious event for Dussehra.