Bombay High Court allows Muharram procession in Mumbai

The Bombay High Court has permitted to carry out Muharram procession in the city with following all the rules to prevent the spread of coronavirus. 

The state government and the petitioner, All India Idaara-E-Tahafuz-E-Hussainiyat, reached an agreement and informed the court of the same on Friday, following which, the court granted permission for the procession.

The Shia Muslim community will be permitted to carry out the procession on August 30, between 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm from Bhendi Bazaar to the Shia cemetery in Byculla only by trucks and not on foot.

Maximum of five persons will be allowed on a truck and only five will be permitted walk with the 'Tazia' symbol for the last 100 meters on the selected route, the order stated.

The five participants of the procession will have to give their home addresses to the Mumbai police beforehand, the court said.

If required the court has given permission to state government to impose all necessary restrictions, including section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code [CrPC], to control crowds and manage the procession.

The petitioner requested the court to allow to carrying out the procession this year as well, albeit with limited number of people and with necessary precautions such as masks and social distancing in place.