Karnataka High Court notice to govt on PIL against nod for rallies

Bengaluru: The High Court on Thursday ordered issue of notices to state government, state police chief and Bengaluru city police commissioner following a petition filed by 46-year-old Sai Datta against granting permissions to hold protests and rallies in the state, particularly in Bengaluru.

The PIL has sought for directions to stop granting permission to hold protests and rallies in central parts of the city. The petition added that permitting such protests at busy traffic junction such as Mysuru circle, Town Hall junction, Ballari Raod junction and other places badly choke traffic flow and it becomes an ordeal for commuters to go from one part of the city to another. It also pointed out that these protests usually turn violent and result in huge loss to public exchequer and property. KSRTC alone incurs a loss of around Rs 15 crore per year due to such protests. The PIL also sought directions to recover the losses due to violent protests.