IN FIRST of its kind, the Varanasi Police (Sigra Police Station) on the orders from DIG Police (Varanasi) Shri Lalji Shukla & on the inititative of Satya Foundation, has registered case against MARRIAGE PROCESSIONISTS (Baratis) in Mahmoorganj area of Varanasi (India) for causing long traffic jam.

On 5th May, 2011, Chetan Upadhyaya, Secretary of Satya Foundation (Dedicated to total awakening of Brain through Music, Meditation & Yoga) was returning from Rathyatra crossing to his home at Virat Villa Apartments in Mahmoorganj area. Seeing big traffic jam in area due to marriage procession, he jumped into the Barat with his Mobile Camera and made a Video CD of the Baratis using firecrckers & dancing (without caring for the stranded vehicles & ambulance etc.) at the gate of Shubham Marriage Lawn in Mahmoorganj area (under Sigra Police Station).

The order by the District administration strictly bars Baratis from standing at one place & doing dance. The Barat should move continuously. And this has been well publicized through media. But the Baratis, who were in full mood of celebration stalled the traffic and caused long jam on both sides. The Satya Foundation first tried to convince the organisers of the Barat for sparing the stranded vehicles, but when the things did not move, the matter was reported to the Police Control Room and Sigra S. O. followed by Additional City Magistrate and ADM City. The police intervened but till then, it had caused enough damage to the normal life.

So, on Friday afternoon, the Satya Foundation Secretary Chetan Upadhyaya met DIG Police at his camp office with the written complaint, photograph & short Video CD of the traffic jam. The DIG immediately ordered the S. O.
(Sigra) in writing for registering case. So on Friday evening, a case was registered under I. P. C. 268 and 290 (imprisonment up to 6 months or fine or both) against the organizers. Mr. Sangam Mishra, S. O. (Sigra Police station) told that the organiser has been asked to give list of Baratis who caused ruckus on Thursday night.

HISTORICAL MILESTONE, says Chetan Upadhyaya, Secretary of Satya Foundation which has been actively pitching for reduction in Noise levels. We were demanding for this kind of action for the last so many months and this case will give a lesson to law-breakers (read 'literate fools') that you can't take the people for granted, said Chetan.