Shimla, June 5 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court has allowed the holding of the historic Mata Nabahi Devi Mela at the playground of Government Senior Secondary School, Nabahi Devi, in Tehsil Sarkaghat of Mandi district.

The fair will be held from June 15-17, as per the court’s order passed on Tuesday.

The court was hearing an application filed in connection with a pending public interest litigation. The applicant stated that the mela has been held for generations and holds deep cultural and religious significance for the people of the region. A No Objection Certificate from the school principal was also placed before the court.

While granting permission, the division bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma directed the organisers to ensure that no damage is caused to the school property.

The court made it clear that the school ground must be cleaned properly after the event and no banned plastic materials should be used. It also directed that the school toilets be kept reserved for students and staff, and that the organisers should make separate arrangements for public toilets.

The court further directed the local administration to maintain law and order during the event and asked the applicant to deposit a sum of Rs20,000 in the school’s Students Welfare Fund. The bench emphasised that the fair must be held peacefully and held the organisers responsible for any untoward incident that may occur.

The application was disposed of with these directions.

UNI ML RN