Can govt spaces be used for pvt events, HC sought to know

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday sought to know whether there is a provision for renting out government buildings for private functions.

A division bench of acting Chief Justice H G Ramesh and Justice P S Dinesh Kumar was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Amrutesh, an advocate who had moved the court, questioning the use of a government school and college buildings in Malleshwaram for hosting a private function.

The petition sought directions to the state government to issue a circular, stating that government buildings should not be used by private persons.

According to the petition, Unnathi Healing Foundation Trust is organising a private function at the Government Boys PU College and the Government Girls High School, Malleshwaram, on Friday with the help of the local MLA and government officials.

The private trust would be required to pay over Rs 1 lakh if it was to host the same event in a private building, it stated.  

To this, the bench asked whether there was a provision that restricts conducting of private functions at government spaces. The bench directed the petitioner to produce relevant documents in this regard.

The bench also observed that if there were no such rules, the court would take up the responsibility of framing relevant regulations, and adjourned the matter to Tuesday.