Pappanji Burning: Kerala High Court Questions Police Over Notice Issued To Stop Burning Of Effigy During New-Year Celebrations

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (24th December) asked the Government pleader to inform court specifically about the provision under which the police issued stop memo against burning of 'Pappanji' in Fort Kochi. Justice Easwaran S. made this observation in a petition filed by Gala de Fort Kochi, the club which erected the Pappanji this year.

'Pappanji burning' is an annual ritual conducted as part of the New Year Celebration. A giant effigy of an old man is burned at 31st December midnight to welcome the New Year. Reportedly, this year, Mattancherry police sent a notice against burning of the giant effigy citing safety reasons.

The club informed the Court that they had got permission from other statutory authorities to erect and burn the effigy.

The matter will be considered on 27th December.

Case Title: Gala de Fort Kochi v Assistant Commissioner of Police and Another

Case No: WP(C) 46369 of 2024

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