Bengal govt to move to Supreme Court against Calcutta High Court's verdict on Durga immersion row

According to sources, the West Bengal government will file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the apex court on Friday to challenge the interim order of the Calcutta High Court.

A source said that after discussing the matter with her senior officials at state secretariat Nabanna, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directed them to move to the Supreme Court.

Earlier in the afternoon, a division bench of the Calcutta HC, comprising newly appointed Chief Justice Rakesh Tiwari and Justice Harish Tandon, revoked West Bengal government's decision to restrict the immersion of goddess Durga on Ekadashi (Oct 1) to allow Muharram celebration in the state and said that all Durga idols, which will reach the immersion ghats before 12 am on all days, including Muharram day, can be immersed.

The division bench has also directed the state administration to make adequate arrangements so that Durga immersion and Muharram processions can be done simultaneously in a harmony.

Earlier on Aug 23, after holding a meeting with Durga puja organizers in Kolkata, CM Mamata Banerjee declared a curb on Durga idol immersion on Bijoya Dashami, Sept 30, after 6 pm. and on Ekadashi (Oct 1) whole day as Muharram is scheduled to be observed on the same day.

Challenging the decision, at least three petitions were filed in the Calcutta High Court.

Later, the Bengal government extended the immersion deadline till 10 pm on Dashami (Sep 30) but did not lift the ban on Durga idol immersion on Ekadashi (Oct 1) for Muharram celebration.

Last year, the state government put same restrictions on Durga idol immersion for Muhharam and few puja organizers moved the Calcutta High Court against the decision.

The High Court slammed state government for the announcement and granted additional time to the petitioners for idol immersion.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)