Nainital HC bans helicopters, asks Gupta brothers to deposit ₹3cr for weddings at Auli skiing resort

Nainital High court has imposed restrictions on plying of helicopters to ferry guests for the high profile wedding ceremonies of the two sons of famous South African businessmen, the Gupta brothers at the famous skiing resort of Auli in Chamoli district.

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a Kashipur resident Rakshit Joshi,  against holding of extravagant event at such ecologically fragile spot, a division bench of the Nainital High Court comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Alok Verma on Tuesday asked the event management company taking care of the marriage to deposit a sum of ₹3 crore by June 21 in two instalments for any damages that may be caused by the marriage ceremony and to be recovered from the refundable amount.

The court also directed the state Pollution control Board and District Magistrate, Chamoli district to monitor the marriage event minutely by videography and report to the court on any damage during the next hearing of the case on July 8. However, the court allowed the marriage ceremonies.

The wedding ceremonies of two sons of famous South African businessmen hailing from Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh are being held at the Auli meadows at an altitude of 12,000 feet in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand from June 18 to 22. The court on Monday had asked the state government, state pollution control board and the defendants to file their replies. The state government today denied that any permission was given to construct a helipad and the court ruled against plying of helicopters for the weddings.

More than ten private helicopters have been hired to ferry the guests which include close family members, businessmen, politician and Bollywood stars from Delhi and Sahastradhara helipad at Dehradun.

The petitioner had contended that such high profile weddings would damage the environment while the state government has failed to implement the directions of the High court given to preserve Himalayan meadows. The state government contended that the wedding ceremony is not being held at a meadow but on a slope.  The court also imposed restrictions on the timing and volume of music and orchestra to be played during the wedding ceremonies.

The controversial South African Business hailing from adjoining Saharanpur district were again in news for holding the wedding celebrations of their sons at the world famous skiing resort of Auli in Chamoli district at an altitude of 12,000 feet from June 18 to 22, 2019. It is estimated that the wedding would cost ₹200 crores. Already a VIP tented colony has been set up at the Auli meadow with a preparations which had been going on for the past ten days nearing completion.

High profile guests from across the globe are expected to take part in the wedding ceremonies of Suryakant son of Ajay Gupta with Kritika, daughter of Suresh Singhal from Delhi and Shashank, son of Atul Gupta with Shivangi, daughter of Vishal Jalan based in Dubai.