What is role of MHA in grant of licences for public performances? asks Delhi HC

New Delhi [India], August 7 (ANI): While dealing with a petition against the denial of permission to organise Ramleela, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday raised a query with the Central Government as to the role of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the grant of such licences for public performances. The organiser was asked to apply on MHA's portal afresh for permission.
Shiv Mandir (Mouni Baba Mandir) Nirman evum Vikas Sewa Samiti, Brahmpuri, New Usman Pur has approached the High Court after the denial of permission for the upcoming Ramleela by the Joint Commissioner (Licensing) Delhi Police.
Justice Sanjeev Narula asked the counsels for Delhi police and central to take instructions to the queries as to why the petitioner was redirected to file afresh at the MHA Portal and what role it has in granting such licences.
The bench has listed the matter for hearing on August 12.
Advocate Shakar K Jha appeared for Petitioner Samiti. He submitted that the online application of the petitioner for a grant of a license to conduct a casual performance (Ramleela) has been rejected by the office of the Joint Commissioner of Police (Licensing). It was informed through a communication on June 18, 2024.
The bench noted that As per the said communication, Delhi Police has apparently processed the Petitioner's request, but at the same time, they have called upon them to submit their Application through the Ministry of Home Affairs's portal.
Justice Narula pointed a query to counsel for Delhi Police that if the application of the Petitioner has been considered and processed by the Delhi Police, then why is the Petitioner being redirected to apply afresh on the MHA portal? In case there are any deficiencies in the application, the same ought to have been highlighted in the impugned communication rejecting the said application.
The Court also raised a query to Central Government Standing Counsel Monika Arora as to the role of the MHA in granting such licenses for public performances, which is a subject purely within the domain of the state authorities.
"Both the counsel are directed to take instructions from their respective clients and answer the queries of the Court on the next date of hearing," Justice Narula directed on Wednesday. (ANI)