Formulate, publicize new SOP guidelines for booking of Ramleela grounds before June 25: Delhi HC to DDA [Read Order]

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to formulate and publicize comprehensive SOPs or guidelines for booking of Ramleela sites within five weeks' and no later than June 25, on account of parties’ submission that the bookings for Ramleela grounds were already delayed.

It added that till such time that new Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) guidelines for booking of Ramleela Sites are published by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), no online/offline bookings of DDA grounds/open spaces for Ramleela functions, shall be undertaken by the DDA.

“In the meantime, no online/offline bookings of Respondent No.1/DDA ground/open spaces for Ramleela functions, shall be undertaken by the Respondent No.1/DDA, till the new SOPs guidelines for booking of Ramleela Sites is published by the Respondent No.1/DDA,” the Court said.

The Court was hearing the Hanumant Dharmik Ramleela Committee’s plea for framing of guidelines and SOPs citing disputes on grant of permission to use sites to organize Ram Leelas in Delhi.

The Committee also wanted the replacement of the Delhi Dharmik Mahasangh with an independent body.

Regarding the policy already put forth by DDA, on “streamlining the procedure for temporary allotment of open spaces/community halls for various functions”, the Court was of the opinion that  this did not clarify that the bookings would be subject to orders of any other authority, such as an allotment “list” by the Delhi Dharmik Mahasangh.

“In view of the fact that the Respondent No.1/DDA is now making the Ramleela Sites bookings subject to document which is to be submitted by a third party organization, it is necessary that the Respondent No.1/DDA puts in place a set of guidelines or an SOP for these bookings, to prevent further situations as had arisen in the year 2023,” the Court said.

To facilitate seamless functioning of Ramleela events, the Court was compelled to pass directions allocating grounds to different Ramleela organizers in 2023.

[Read Order]