PIL on Gandhi Memorial entry, top cop told to consider plea
A memorial was built at the same place. However, Hotel Lalit Ashok, a private hotel, stands where the memorial is built.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Monday disposed of a PIL seeking entry into Mahatma Gandhi Memorial located on the premises of Hotel Lalit Ashok with directions to the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner to consider the representation given by the petitioner within 12 weeks.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice L. Narayanaswamy and Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar disposed of the PIL, which was filed over restrictions on the public from visiting the memorial.
According to the petitioner Samarpana, Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to Bengaluru in 1927 had conducted a public meeting in the area, now known as Kumara Krupa Road, Kumara Park East. A memorial was built at the same place. However, Hotel Lalit Ashok, a private hotel, stands where the memorial is built.
It said that every time people visit the memorial, they have to face the hotel security personnel. A representation was given to the state government on August 7, 2018, seeking directions to permit the public to visit the memorial. However, no concrete action was taken, which was followed by the PIL.