The High Court on Wednesday pulled up the Karnataka government and also issued a show-cause notice to the Congress over the Mekedatu padayatra, asking how padayatra and congregation of people allowed amid Covid-19 situation.
Hearing a PIL by Nagendra Prasad AV seeking directions from the court to stop the rally amid the rising COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, questioned why the rally was allowed to be carried out amid rising COVID-19 cases and asked if the government was incapable of taking action. The bench also directed the government to clarify by January 14 what action it has taken to prevent the rally. High Court bench headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Suraj Govindaraj,
Earlier, police have booked third FIR against Congress leaders for their Mekedatu padayatra by defying curfew orders. The FIR has been booked against 63 persons including KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar and opposition leader Siddaramaiah.
On Wednesday, Ramanagar SP Girish said that the FIR has been registered as per the complaint lodged by the Tahsildar in Kanakapura police station. This is the third FIR on Congress leaders who are part of the padayatra.
On the first day FIR was lodged at Satanur police station against 31 persons while complaints have been registered against 38 persons on the second day.
Reacting to the FIR’s Opposition leader Mr. Siddaramaiah questioned the specific charges and offence for booking FIRs. There should be an action and reaction as well as omission and commission, he said.
The case has been lodged under IPC Sections 141 (by means of criminal force or show of criminal force to compel any person to do what he is legally bound to do), 143 (unlawful assembly), 290 (public nuisance) and 336 (whoever does any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or personal safety of others). They have also been booked under violation of the Disaster Management Act.
“No amount of complaints and FIRs can deter us from our decision to complete the padayatra,” he maintained.
“As per the information obtained hundreds of people who are taking part in the padayatra are Covid positive. Some of the leaders who participated have already tested positive and are under treatment. As per my knowledge many leaders are participating even after testing positive,” affirmed Home Minister Araga Jnanendra.
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