Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court has ordered the cancellation of the Sunburn music festival, which was slated to take place in Wayanad, a district recently impacted by landslides. The much-anticipated New Year’s Eve event, organised by Boche Bhumiputra Private Limited and owned by businessman Boby Chemmanur, has been marred by legal and environmental controversies.The interim order was issued following a petition from local residents, who raised grave concerns about illegal construction and environmental hazards at the event venue, known as 'Boche 1000 Acres' in Meppadi, Wayanad. The petition cited ongoing construction, soil extraction activities, and illegal land use, alleging that these could exacerbate the risks in an already landslide-prone area. The Wayanad District Collector, who also heads the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), had earlier directed a halt to the festival, echoing these concerns.

What High Court SaidThe High Court’s directive requires the Wayanad District Collector, police, and local panchayat to ensure the ban is strictly enforced. The court emphasized that events of such magnitude cannot proceed without adequate legal approvals, regardless of claims that the District Tourism Promotion Council had sanctioned it. The judges noted that the tourism council's authorisation does not bypass statutory requirements.Earlier the court had voiced serious concerns over the Sunburn music festival labeling it “a potential disaster in the making" as it said that there were risks involved in hosting the event in the fragile region, Bar and Bench reported. The court noted that hosting the festival in Wayanad which is “barely out of one disaster" will result in “plunging into another disaster."A special government pleader representing the state informed the court that the Collector’s order was based on the absence of essential permits, coupled with the venue’s high susceptibility to natural disasters. The court took cognizance of this and ruled against the festival. Concerns Raised by LocalsThe Wayanad District Collector had raised concerns about the illegal conversion of plantation land near a landslide-prone area, the ongoing construction, and soil extraction, all of which he said could disrupt law and order.Residents in Meppadi, Wayanad, have been vocal in their opposition to the event. They flagged issues such as illegal conversion of plantation land for non-agricultural purposes, violation of local land use norms, and the potential disruption caused by hosting an event expected to draw a crowd of 20,000 attendees. Two senior citizens had also filed complaints with the District Disaster Management Authority and the District Collector, highlighting the venue’s safety and legal status. The local panchayat corroborated their claims, confirming that no permission had been granted for the event.Parking and catering arrangements for such a large gathering were other major points of contention, with critics arguing that they posed a significant risk to public safety and the local environment. Why Is the Sunburn Festival Caught in Legal Battles?This year’s Sunburn festival has been at the center of legal disputes primarily due to alleged violations by its organisers, Boche Bhumiputra Private Limited. Local authorities contend that the ongoing construction activities at the proposed venue flout environmental regulations and land-use norms. Furthermore, concerns have been raised over the organizers’ failure to obtain proper permits and permissions.The event venue, located in a fragile ecological zone, had been red-flagged following a series of landslides in the region. Soil extraction and other modifications reportedly carried out without legal clearance added to the alarm, leading residents and authorities to press for the festival’s cancellation.