IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP No. 39 of 2009 Date of Decision: 7.1.2009 Gurbaj Singh, Advocate ....Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others .....Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.S.THAKUR, CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HEMANT GUPTA 1. Whether Reporters of local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2. To be referred to the Reporters or not? 3. Whether the judgment should be reported in the Digest? Present: Shri Kulbir Sekhon, Advocate, for the petitioner. Shri Amol Rattan Singh, Addl. Advocate General, Punjab, with Ms. Sonu Chahal, DAG, Punjab, for the respondents. T.S. Thakur, C.J. (Oral). This petition has been filed in public interest. It prays for a mandamus directing respondent Nos. 1 to 3 not to organise the proposed cattle fair at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium or in the grounds adjoining Government College, Muktsar. The petitioner, who happens to be a practicing Advocate at District Courts, Muktsar, apprehends that the conduct of any such cattle fair or championship is going to damage the stadium in question and thereby work to the prejudice of sportspersons of the area, for whose benefit, the CWP No. 39 of 2009 (2) same has been built. When the matter came up before us on 6.1.2009, we directed Shri Amol Rattan Singh, learned Additional Advocate General, Punjab, to accept notice and to take instructions. Shri Singh has, accordingly, taken instructions and argued that the proposed 5-day event starting on 8.10.2009, is not a cattle fair, as alleged by the petitioner, but is intended to provide an opportunity to the breeders of cattle to exhibit their cattle, apart from some display of sports relating to cattle and horses. It appears that the apprehension of the petitioner that the stadium will suffer irreparable or extensive damage, is without any basis, especially when, the Administration is ready to undertake any repair work, should any damage on account of wear and tear takes place at the end of the exhibition/championship. He submits that the petitioner's grievance, in the light of the statement made by him, could be taken as redressed and the matter disposed off accordingly. We find considerable merit in the submission made by Shri Singh. The event in question, it appears to us, is not a cattle fair in the true sense. The said fair, according to the respondents, is being organised at a place 6 kilometers away from Muktsar on Guru Harsahai Road. The event, referred to in the writ petition, which has already been widely advertised and for which different people may have already made preparations for display of their cattle, is more in the nature of an exhibition of the better breeds of cattle than a cattle fair for the sale and purchase of the animals. In the circumstances, there does not appear to be any compelling reason for us to interfere with the ongoing event at this stage where alternative arrangements would be difficult. At any rate, the Administration has made a statement before us that any damage caused on account of the holding of the CWP No. 39 of 2009 (3) exhibition, shall be repaired by it no sooner the event concludes. That statement is recorded and the writ petition disposed of. No costs. (T.S. THAKUR) CHIEF JUSTICE (HEMANT GUPTA) JUDGE 7.1.2009 ds