Supreme Court refuses permission for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on Idgah Maidan in Bengaluru, orders status quo on land

Supreme Court directs parties to approach Karnataka High Court for resolution of dispute

The Supreme Court of India ordered status quo as of today in the case concerning the use of Idgah Maidan at Bengaluru for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The court on August 30 orally observed that the land has not been used for any other purpose for the past 200 years.

Chief Justice of India U.U. Lalit constituted a three-judge bench in the Supreme Court to hear the plea by the Karnataka Waqf Board challenging the High Court's order which allowed the use of Idgah Maidan in Bengaluru for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

The three-judge bench comprised Justices Indira Banerjee, Abhay S. Oka, and M.M. Sundresh.

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The order came after a two-judge bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia referred the issue to CJI citing a difference of opinion.

"Heard the parties at some length. Neither the hearing could conclude nor any consensus could be reached between the bench. Let the matter be listed before the CJI, " the two-judge bench said.