Dahi handi participants must be over 18, up to 4-level human pyramid: Bombay HC

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Monday directed the state government to raise the minimum age for participation in dahi handi celebrations to 18 years and to cap the height of human pyramid to 20 feet.
A division bench of Justice V M Kanade and Justice P D Kode heard a public interest litigation by activists Swati Patil, Jaya Sukin and Vinotha Raman for banning children saying every year several 'govindas' suffer permanent injuries on account of falling from a height.Also , that there have been reports of some deaths.
READ ALSO: Activists push for safe dahi handi after teen govinda’s sudden death
Government pleader Sandeep Shinde informed that following an inquiry by the Maharashtra Commission for Protection of Child Rights, directions have been issued to to impose total prohibition on the use of children below the age of 12 years to be part of the human pyramid in dahi handi celebrations.The judges pointed out that the age bar must be raised as under Juvenile Justice Act and also the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, a child is defined as below 18 years. They directed the government to modify the circular and increase the age from 12 years to 18 years.
Shinde also submitted that experience shows that casualties are reported above five layers. . The judge directed the height of the pyramid should not exceed 20 feet or up to four layers.. They also directed safety measures including that the organisers provide helmets, safety belts to 'govindas' and cushion layers at the venue.

The organizers are also directed to register their organization under the Bombay Public Trusts Act or the Societies Registration Act. The Charity Commissioner has been directed to regulate and assess the financial transaction of organizers who are celebrating the dahi handi with an exceptionally high price tag.
The judges also directed constitution of a local monitoring committee comprising of the in-charge of the local police station, a ward officer and the local elected representative or such other person. Since Janmashtami is on August 18, 2014 they hoped that the state government will issue suitable directions and give wide publicity to it.