Kerala HC Permits 'Pappanji' Burning During New Year Celebrations In Kochi, Suggests Increasing Breadth Of Barricade Around Effigy
The Kerala High Court on Friday (December 27) permitted 'Pappani' burning at Veli Ground in Fort Kochi for the New Year Celebrations this year
The Mattancherrry police had earlier issued a notice directing the organisers to remove the erected effigy of 'Pappanji'. Permitting the burning of the effigy the court also suggested to the authorities to increase the breadth of barricade around the effigy.
For context, 'Pappanji' is the effigy of an old man erected at the Fort Kochi beach for the New Year Celebrations. The effigy is burnt at the midnight of December 31st every year. Gala de Fort Kochi, the organisers of the event submitted before the Court that burning of the Pappanji has been done from time immemorial. Reportedly, the Police had issued the stop memo citing safety issues in burning the 35 feet effigy.
The vacation bench of Justice Harisankar V. Menon noted that the organisers had got the requisite permission from Kochi Municipal Corporation and an NOC from the Fire and Safety Department. The Court also took into account the safety measures taken for burning the effigy. However, court suggested to increase the breadth of barricade from 42 feet to 70 feet from the base of the effigy, considering that the effigy itself is more than 35 feet high.
Case Title: Gala De Fort Kochi v Assistant Commissioner of Police
Case No: WP(C) 46369/ 2024