Dahi Handi: Chief Secretary, Mumbai Police Commissioner violated court orders

Social activist Swati Patil, on Thursday, filed a contempt petition in the Bombay High Court, seeking action under the Contempt of Court Act against the Chief Secretary, Mumbai Police Commissioner, and others. They have allegedly violated last year's court order on Dahi Handi celebrations.

The petition states that they failed and neglected compliance with the court order passed on August 7, 2017. In its order, the court had accepted the undertaking given by the authorities stating several preventive and remedial measures will be followed by organisers of Dahi Handis to ensure that no 'govindas' meet with an accident during the festival.

Patil said, "In complete violation, several govindas were found participating without using safety helmets and other measures as suggested. A participant even lost his life due to the carelessness of the organisers. This conduct of the authorities is calculated and aims at bringing down the dignity of the court order."

The plea will come up for a hearing next week.

A total of 243 govindas suffered injuries during the recently concluded Dahi Handi festival.