Protests, processions in Bengaluru only at Freedom Park, nowhere else: HC to Karnataka govt

The Court also said that protests and demonstrations at Freedom park should be held in an organised manner

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday directed the state government not to allow any kind of procession or protest in the entire city of Bengaluru, except on the designated Freedom Park premises.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice S R Krishna Kumar was hearing a suo motu PIL registered last year based on a letter by a sitting judge of the high court on traffic disruptions caused due to protests held on March 2, 2021.

The bench took a serious view of the fact that a similar disruption was caused on Thursday in the city. “Is it not possible at all to stop these processions on roads? It took one hour for me to come to the court. It is high time something was done,” Justice S R Krishna Kumar said.

Traffic was disrupted in the city on Wednesday and Thursday due to the Congress’ padayatra demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project.

Also read: Mekedatu march ends, Congress attacks 'double engine' BJP govt

The bench said that pending decision in the PIL, it is a fit case to pass an interim order. It directed the authorities to ensure that traffic does not get affected in the city, especially during rush hours.

“No such activity shall be permitted to be carried out and in case any such activity is undertaken, appropriate action shall be taken and the responsibility of the agencies meant for providing proper traffic management shall be fixed and action taken in this regard shall be reported to the court,” the bench said.

The suo motu petition was registered based on the letter written by Justice Aravind Kumar — who is presently the Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court — to the then chief justice quoting a newspaper report about morning rush hour traffic disrupted due to various protests. The bench had asked the authorities to ensure that protesters were permitted to gather only at Freedom Park, the designated place for demonstrations.

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