In a reply to the application seeking stay on organising the Mela at Sector 17, MCC counsel Deepali Puri stated that as many as five fire tenders were being stationed around the Piazza and a minimum passage of 20 feet was being kept for enabling free movement. The Mela plan had been approved by chief fire officer Darshan Singh, she added.

Claiming the denial of permission to traders intending to use gas cylinders or stove, she stated that even inflammable goods were not being permitted at the stalls. Further, proper wiring arrangement without naked joints were being made, she added.

The application will be taken up by UT Civil Judge (Junior Division) Jag Nahar Singh for orders tomorrow.

Earlier, challenging the holding of Diwali Mela at Sector 17, Janata Party's local unit president Ajay Jagga had alleged that the chances of a raging fire reducing the displayed articles to ashes could not be ruled out. He had also alleged that cases of theft, eve-teasing and pick pocketing increased during the mela. Claiming the removal of obstructions to be the MC's legal duty, he had added that the defendant was permitting people to encroach upon the public land.

Today, arguing before the Civil Judge, Jagga, quoting Chandigarh Newsline stated that the chief fire officer was against holding the Diwali Mela in Sector 17 Piazza. Last year also he had recommended holding the Mela in the open, the plaintiff added.

Reiterating the danger of holding the mela at the present venue, he stated that the high platform would prevent the fire tenders from reaching the spot in case of a fire.