Kerala HC Allows Burning of 'Pappanji' During New Year Celebrations in Kochi, Recommends Increasing Width of Barricades Around the Statue

The Kerala High Court on Friday (December 27) allowed the burning of ‘Pappanji’ at Veli Ground in Fort Kochi for this year’s New Year Celebrations

The development comes after the Mattancherry police issued a stop note against the erection and burning of Pappanji, an effigy. The court, which allowed the statue to be burned, also recommended the authorities to increase the width of the barricade around the statue.

For context, ‘Pappanji’ is a statue of an old man erected on the Fort Kochi beach for New Year Celebrations. The statue was burned at midnight on December 31.^st every year. The organizers of the event, Gala de Fort Kochi, submitted to the Court that the burning of Pappanji has been done since ancient times. Reportedly, Police issued a cease-and-desist notice citing safety issues in burning the 35-foot statue.

holiday bench Justice Harisankar V. Menon He noted that the organizers have obtained the necessary permission from the Kochi Municipal Corporation. The court also took into account the security measures taken for burning the statue. However, the court recommended that the width of the barricade be increased from 35 feet to 70 feet from the base of the statue, considering that the statue itself is more than 35 feet tall.

Case Title: Gala De Fort Kochi v Deputy Commissioner of Police

Case No: WP(C) 46369/ 2024