Mumbai: Stall Owners at Mahim Urs Fair Get Relief as HC Cancels Early Closure Order
Mumbai, 25th December 2024: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday overturned a notice issued by Mumbai police directing stall owners at the Mahim Urs fair, held from December 16th to 25th, to close two days earlier than planned.
The police had asked vendors to shut down by December 23rd, citing anticipated traffic congestion on Mahim Causeway and Lady Jamshedji Road during Christmas celebrations at St. Michael’s Church, located near the Mahim Dargah Urs Ground where the fair is being held.
The decision was challenged by Zahid Khamisa, a stall owner who has been participating in the fair since 1986. Khamisa filed a petition against the notice, which was issued to approximately 40 stall owners on December 23rd, withdrawing their permission to operate for the last two days of the fair. The petition claimed that the police cited potential traffic issues near St. Michael’s Church as the reason for their decision.
During the hearing, Public Prosecutor Prajakta Shinde argued that daily traffic jams caused by the fair on Mahim Causeway—a key connection between the western suburbs and South Mumbai—would worsen on December 24th and 25th due to Christmas festivities.
However, the petitioners’ advocate, Prassana Bhangale, pointed out that a similar restriction last year had been lifted following intervention by the chief minister, allowing the fair to continue as planned during Christmas.
The vacation bench, comprising Justices Shivkumar Dige and Advait Sethna, annulled the police notice, stating that the action was based on mere apprehension without evidence of public complaints about traffic congestion. The court emphasized that such concerns did not justify revoking the fair’s licence, suggesting the deployment of additional personnel to manage traffic instead.
The Mahim Urs fair, held annually in December near the Mahim Dargah to honour Sufi saint Hazrat Makhdum Fakih Ali Mahimi, attracts over a million visitors. Known for its vibrant cultural performances, street food, shopping, and entertainment, it is one of Mumbai’s most awaited events, bringing joy to people of all ages.
