PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has given the organizers of Sunburn Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival a green signal, allowing the three-day event at Dhargalim to proceed under strict conditions.
After a marathon hearing on a petition challenging the finalization of the festival venue, the Division Bench of Justice M S Karnik and Justice Nivedita Mehta stated that noise pollution, traffic management and public safety must be strictly adhered to.
The court also stated that event organizers must adhere to the guidelines and ensure compliance with earlier directions issued by the High Court and the Goa government.
“The festival will proceed but only under stringent conditions and interim arrangements,” Advocate General Devidas Pangam said quoting the orders of the Court, adding that it will closely monitor the event and reconvene hearing post-event to assess any breaches or the need for corrective actions.
To ensure smooth execution, high-ranking officials will be present at the festival site throughout the event. The police will monitor traffic to prevent congestion and ensure safety.
AG Pangam, representing the State, assured the Bench government's commitment to enforcing the directives. “All precautions mandated by the High Court and the State government will be implemented to ensure that the festival complies with the law and does not inconvenience the public,” he said.
Addressing concerns raised during the plea arguments on Wednesday about the powers of the Gram Sabha to regulate such events, Pangam clarified that these powers are restricted by law.
“The law is settled by the Supreme Court and High Courts that the Gram Sabha’s powers are very limited. Construction licenses, permissions, etc are the prerogative of the elected Panchayat body, not the Gram Sabha,” he argued while presenting judgments to substantiate his stance.
While the submissions were acknowledged by the High Court, the organisers are directed to strictly comply with all conditions laid down.
A group of petitioners, representing a section of Dhargalim residents, argued that the gram sabha’s resolution explicitly disallowing the event should be binding. The Director of Panchayat contested the resolution's validity arguing that gram sabha overstepped its jurisdiction.
