Char Dham Yatra 2021: Uttarakhand High Court lifts ban on Char Dham Yatra

Char Dham Yatra 2021: Uttarakhand High Court to hear the affidavit filed by the government regarding the commencement of Chardham Yatra. After hearing the matter, removing the ban imposed on the yatra by its decision of June 28, the court has ordered the government to start the Chardham Yatra with restrictions following the rules of Covid. The state government has got a big relief due to the order of the court to start the yatra. Along with this, the livelihood of residents of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag districts, including thousands of travel businessmen and pilgrimage priests, is expected to be back on track.

On Thursday, a division bench of Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Kumar Verma heard the application filed by the government to lift the travel ban. Advocate General SN Babulkar, Chief Standing Advocate CS Rawat, appearing for the government, demanded the lifting of the ban based on the livelihood of local people, Covid being under control, improvement in health services, strict adherence to SOP, etc. The court also referred to the report of the District Legal Services Authority. The Advocate General said that there is an earning period of Chardham Yatra.

In June, the High Court had stayed the Chardham Yatra till further orders, while hearing public interest litigations related to the increase in Covid cases, lack of health facilities, and other disturbances. Against this order, the state government had filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court, which could not be heard.

Recently, Advocate General SN Babulkar and CSC Chandrashekhar Rawat requested a bench headed by Chief Justice RS Chauhan to lift the travel ban, but the court refused to consider it, citing the SLP being pending in the Supreme Court. After which the government withdrew the SLP from the Supreme Court. Recently, when the government informed the High Court about this, the court had fixed the date of 15-16 September.

Petitioner's advocate said this

Advocate Abhijay Negi for petitioner Anu Pant, Ravindra Jagran, DK Joshi told that there is the consent of all the parties on the opening of Chardham Yatra. If the government had informed the High Court in advance about the elaborate preparations related to the health infrastructure, then there would have been no need to stop the travel. We hope that the government will be able to continue the journey with a sound health system and cleanliness.