Authority: West Bengal High Court
Order Date: 15.10.2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Petitioners Rajib Ghosh & Anr.; Respondent State of West Bengal; Respondent West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (WBSEDCL).
- Nature: Writ petition seeking permission to perform Durga Puja on a plot of land claimed by petitioners as Debottar (charitable) property but occupied by WBSEDCL as vested land.
- Counsel: Petitioners represented by Mr. Bikash Ghoswami, Mr. Mrinal Kanti Biswas, Ms. Shipra Santra; State represented by Mr. Asim Hati, Mr. Antariksha Karmakar; WBSEDCL represented by Mr. Kanak Kiran Bandyopadhyay.
- Contentions: Petitioners argue long‑standing community Durga Puja on the land; State and WBSEDCL assert the land is vested and under WBSEDCL occupation.
- Court Observation: Petitioners made a limited prayer for temporary religious use; both State and WBSEDCL opposed the prayer.
Final Outcome
- The Court permits the petitioners to perform Durga Puja on the specified plot, subject to conditions:
- A) Obtain requisite permission from all concerned authorities, if required.
- B) No permanent (Pucca) construction allowed; only a temporary pandal of bamboo and wood may be erected.
- C) Temporary structure must be removed by 31 October 2026; immersion of Goddess Durga and Goddess Laxmi to follow schedule set by administration.
- D) Petitioners shall not claim any equity from the order.
- E) Respondent No.8 authority must ensure compliance; report non‑compliance for contempt proceedings.
- F) Respondent State to communicate the order to Respondent No.8 authority; petitioners may also circulate the order to all concerned parties.
- G) If petitioners seek permission for the puja, authorities must grant it by 16 October 2026, 5:00 pm, upon fulfillment of requisites.
- No order as to costs.
- Urgent certified copies of the order may be supplied upon compliance with formalities.
Topics: Land Use, Religious Festival, Public Utility