Temple trust moves HC against BBMP direction to get trade licence

The high court directed the BBMP to not take any precipitative action against a temple trust while hearing a matter with regard to an impugned notification issued by a health officer.

The Palike had directed the trust to stop all activities in the shared-covered hall of the temple and had asked it to obtain a trade licence to conduct any activities in that hall.

Kashipathi, president of Muneshwaraswamy Temple Trust, had moved the court challenging the notification.

Justice Vineet Kothari, while hearing the petition, orally observed that the activities of the trust do not fall under the commercial activities and thus it does not need the trade licence.
 
The court observed that even functions like marriages can be conducted on a temple's premises and a temple does not need the trade licence to conduct an activity most of which comprise religious events.

It observed that the BBMP's notification was incomplete and stated that the Palike's official act first and then think about it.

It issued notices to the BBMP and the health officer (BBMP) and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and directed them to appear before the respective authorities on March 6.

The matter was adjourned to April 4.