Cap On Durga Idol Height: Orissa HC To Hear Case On Sept 30

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has set aside September 30 as the date of hearing of the petition challenging Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner’s order to cap the height of Goddess Durga idols for Dussehra celebrations.

As per sources, the court has asked the Police Commissioner to submit an affidavit in connection with the case ahead of the scheduled hearing.

On September 18, Police Commissioner Sudhansu Sarangi had said that the height of idols in Durga Puja pandals should not exceed 4 feet, as decided by the State government.

Following the announcement, at least 25 puja committees of Cuttack knocked the doors of the High Court seeking judicial intervention to relax the restrictions.

As per the Puja committees, idol making began much before the State government order and it will be difficult to make alterations.

The Commissionerate Police has issued several guidelines in view of the COVID19 situation including celebration of the rituals in a closed atmosphere, no public participation among others for smooth and hassle-free conduct of Durga Puja amid COVID-19 pandemic.