The Kerala High Court has recently (11 December) permitted the Pamba Boat Race Club, Neerattupuram, to conduct its boat race on December 28, 2025, after it was unable to hold the event on the originally scheduled date of 19 September 2025.
Justice V.G. Arun issued the direction while considering a writ petition filed by the club and its office-bearers challenging the refusal of the district administration to grant permission for a revised date.
The petitioners pointed out that although a Division Bench had earlier restored the schedule fixed by the District Collector, they could not conduct the race on September 19, 2025, as a Champions Boat League (CBL) tournament was held at Kainakary on the same day. Meanwhile, a rival club, Pamba Boat Race Club Reg No. 98/ 90 (the fifth respondent) went ahead with its race on September 12, 2025. Requests by the petitioners to conduct the race on later dates were declined by the authorities.
The fifth respondent contended that the petitioners were bound by the original schedule and, having failed to conduct the race on the allotted date, could not seek permission for a date of their choice. The State also expressed reservations, citing the deployment of police personnel for Sabarimala duty and New Year celebrations.
However, the court noted that the Division Bench had already recognised the petitioners' right to conduct the boat race and accepted their explanation for not holding it on September 19.
“The Division Bench of this Court has recognized the petitioners' right to conduct the boat race by Exhibit R5(u) judgment. The petitioners were disabled from conducting the boat race on 19.09.2025 since the CBL tournament was held at Kainakary on the same day. The reason for not conducting the boat race on 19.09.2025 being acceptable, it is only appropriate to permit the boat race to be conducted on another day.” Court noted.
The Court observed that the Mandala Vilakku season would conclude by December 26 and the Makara Vilakku season would begin only on January 1, 2026, leaving sufficient availability of police personnel in the intervening period. The court also took note that no law and order issues were reported during the race conducted by the rival club earlier on 12 September.
Accordingly, the court directed the District Collector to grant permission for the race to be held on December 28, 2025, at the specified location. The District Police Chief was instructed to ensure deployment of police personnel for maintaining law and order, with the expenses to be borne by the petitioners in accordance with police circulars.
The matter has been posted for further consideration on January 16, 2026.
Case Title: Pamba Boat Race Club Neerattupuram and Anr v State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: WP(C) 32982/ 2025
Counsel for Petitioner: Liju V Stephen, Indu Susan Jacob, Taj K Tom
Counsel for Respondents: Joseph George, P A Rejimon, Vivekjos Puthukulangara