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On Wednesday, the Calcutta High Court bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Kesang Doma Bhutia  sought the West Bengal government's response in a plea seeking cancellation of this year's Gangasagar Mela due to rise in Covid-19 cases.

The plea filed by Dr. Avinandan claimed that the infection may spread further as around 30 lakh pilgrims visit the religious fair at Sagar Island every year. The Mela is scheduled to take place from 8-16 January.

The petitioner represented by Advocate Srijib Chakraborty contended the Gangasagar Mela Act, 1976 has been enacted to safeguard public health and protect the pilgrims attending the Mela. Further that on January 4, 2022, the State witnessed 9,073 Covid-19 cases and the infection rate was as high as 18.96 percent. The infection rate is on the rise rapidly. Further, it was contended that the State government has ordered gatherings will have not more than 50 people, hence the state should not permit the gigantic gathering at the Mela. The petitioner further argued that last year the Mela was permitted to take place.

The West Bengal Doctors' Forum represented by Advocate Aniruddha Chatterjee contended that along with Omicron, Delta variant is spreading across the state and in this stage lakhs of pilgrims gathering would be disastorous.

Per contra, the State represented by Advocate General SN Mookherjee has requested time till tomorrow to submit the list of measures taken for the mela.

The Court however noted that it is not just the measure, the state should think about having the mela at all or not.

The matter is listed tomorrow, January 6.

Case Title: Dr. Avinandan Mondal v. State of West Bengal & Ors.