The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed a petitioner to approach the higher officials of Chambal division within three days pertaining to the arrangement of Dusshera fair at Pavai Wali Mata Mandir, located in Ater Tehsil of Bhind district.
The Gwalior Bench of Justices Sheel Nagu and Deepak Kumar Agrawal passed the order on October 7, while disposing of a PIL seeking directions to form an 11-member committee, comprising Chambal IG Police, Chambal Commissioner, Bhind District Collector, Superintendent of Police, Chief Medical and Health Officer and other members for the arrangement of Dusshera fair at the renowned temple.
Petitioner Umesh Kumr Bohare, who appeared in person, said that large crowds accumulate on various occasions, especially on Dussehra at Pavai Wali Mata Mandir, but the road leading to the said temple is in a dilapidated condition.
Mr Bohare said the temple is a pilgrimage for a large number of worshippers, who descend on various occasions round the year. It is thus contended that in the absence of basic infrastructural facilities to take care of necessities and comfort of the devotees, the possibility of any untoward accident, stampede or breach of law and order cannot be ruled out, noted the plea. The petitioner said he had made representation on September 4, 2021 to various authorities, but to no avail.
Looking into the urgency of matter in the face of Dussehra celebrations having commenced, the Bench disposed of the petition with following directions:-
(1) The petitioner is directed to serve a copy of the representation containing the grievance of public cause before the Commissioner (Revenue), Chambal Division, Morena; IG (Police), Chambal Division and the SP, Bhind within a period of three days, along with the copy of this order.
(2) If the aforesaid direction is complied with, then the said authorities shall be obliged to consider the said representation and if the grievance raised is found to be true, then remedial steps shall be taken to avoid any inconvenience or untoward incident.
(3) The compliance report shall be filed in the Registry of this Court latest by October 30.
(4) In case the compliance report is not filed or if the compliance report is found to be amiss, then the Registry is directed to list the matter as PUD under the caption “Direction” before the appropriate Bench.