Calcutta Book Fair is in court now

Kolkata, Jan 5 (UNI) The fate of Calcutta Book Fair-2006, remained uncertain as a two-judge bench of Calcutta High Court deferred the hearing of the organisers' petition till next Wednesday and asked the Army authorities to file an affidavit stating their stand on the issue.

The bench comprising Chief Justice V S Sirpurkar and Justice Arun Kumar Mitra wanted to know from the Army authorities why they granted permission to the organisers to hold the fair despite repeated objections from the environment lovers.

Meanwhile, environment activists Subash Dutta said today that he would file a petition opposing the holding of this year's book fair in the Brigade parade ground.

Publishers and Book Sellers Guild had moved a petition before the court for permission to hold the 32nd Kolkata Book Fair at the Brigade Parade ground (maidan).

The book fair is due to be held from January 30 to February 11.

In its petition the Guild appealed to the court praying direction of the authorities to allow it to hold the fair at the ground.

The maidan areas are under the Army authorities.

The petitioner stated that the particular spot at the ground was important because wide open space and no other spot did not have capacity to accomodate the so many visitors.

Last year the court allowed the organisers to hold the exibition at maidan following an application.

The Guild said the fair was an internationally important as publishers from UK, France, China, Germany, Australia, US and other countries were taking part in the annual fair.

UNI