New Delhi, Nov. 14 -- The Delhi High Court has refused permission to organise Chhath Puja at Chintoo Park in Naraina Village, observing that the fact that the religious observance had been held at the location for several years could not, by itself, justify the use of a public green area for the event.

Justice Jasmeet Singh dismissed an application seeking permission to organise Sandhya Arghya on November 15 and Usha Arghya on November 16 over an area of around 1,000 square metres at Chintoo Park.

The applicant had told the Court that Chhath Puja had been organised at the location for the past 23 years and undertook to restore the park to its original condition after the festivities. The DDA, however, opposed the plea, stating that the ...