Kerala High Court Flags Safety Concerns Over Sunburn Festival In Landslide-Prone Wayanad

The Kerala High Court has expressed grave concerns about the upcoming Sunburn music festival in Wayanad, a district recently affected by landslides, calling it "a potential disaster in the making." The festival, slated for New Year’s Eve, has raised alarms about public safety and environmental risks in the fragile region.

Addressing the issue on Wednesday, the court remarked, “Barely out of one disaster, now plunging into another disaster.” It has directed the Advocate General to submit a detailed report on the event, seeking clarity on permissions granted, the expected crowd size, traffic management plans, and other logistical details.

The festival, reportedly organized by Boche Bhumiputra Private Limited, owned by businessman Boby Chemmanur, is set to take place on a property flagged by residents for alleged illegal constructions. Complaints lodged by two senior citizens with the District Disaster Management Authority and the District Collector have raised concerns about the venue's safety and legality.

Promotional material shared by Chemmanur on Instagram indicates that the event could draw a crowd exceeding 20,000 people, with over 10,000 tickets already sold. Plans for large-scale catering and parking facilities for 3,000-5,000 vehicles have been outlined, further heightening worries about the district’s ability to accommodate the influx.

The court’s scrutiny comes in the wake of Wayanad’s recent struggles with heavy rains and landslides, which have left the region vulnerable to further disasters. As the Advocate General prepares the requested report, the festival’s fate hangs in the balance, with the court’s final decision likely to have significant implications for public safety and event management in environmentally sensitive areas.