Bombay High Court Declines To Permit Chhath Puja At Girgaon Chowpatty

The Bombay High Court has declined to grant directions on a plea seeking permission to organise Chhath Puja at Mumbai's Girgaon Chowpatty on November 15 and 16, 2026.

A Division Bench of Justices Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale and Advait M. Sethna passed the order on November 9 while hearing a petition filed by Mithila Chhath Puja Sangh against the State of Maharashtra.

The petitioner organisation had approached the High Court after the DB Marg Police Station refused permission for the construction of a stage and arrangements for celebrating Chhath Puja at Girgaon Chowpatty.

In a communication dated September 17, 2026, the police station had informed the organisers that, pursuant to earlier High Court proceedings, a High Power Committee had been appointed for Girgaon Chowpatty. It stated that events other than Ganeshotsav, Navratri Utsav, Ramlila, Krishnalila and Christmas should not be permitted at the beach, and that prior permission from the concerned departments was necessary.

The organisers had also submitted a representation to the Maharashtra Chief Minister on October 7 seeking permission for the proposed event. However, the representation was stated to be pending.

During the hearing, the State's counsel referred to earlier orders passed by the High Court in Adarsh Chowpatty Pragati Mandal (2018), which laid down conditions governing the conduct of events at Girgaon Chowpatty.

Under the directions issued in the earlier proceedings, certain functions were restricted to a designated area measuring 300 x 150 square feet. The Court had also clarified that the Monitoring Committee appointed in the matter was a necessary party in proceedings concerning permission to hold functions or erect temporary structures and infrastructure at the beach.

When the Bench specifically asked the petitioner's counsel about compliance with these directions, particularly obtaining permission from the Monitoring Committee and impleading it as a party to the proceedings, the counsel did not respond.

The Bench also referred to Article 25 of the Constitution, observing that while the provision guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion, the right is subject to public order, morality and health.

Sangh also sought directions for an alternative venue to conduct the religious event. However, the Court expressed no opinion on the request and observed that the petitioner was at liberty to pursue remedies available under law.

"Undoubtedly, there is a freedom of conscience, and free profession, practice and propagation of religion. However, the same is subject to public order, morality and health," it said. The Court ultimately declined to pass any further orders at this stage and directed that the matter be listed after Diwali vacations.

Case Title: Mithila Chhath Puja Sangh v. State of Maharashtra

Bench: Justice Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale and Justice Advait M. Sethna

Order Date: November 9, 2026