Sowjanya Case: Karnataka High Court Permits Peaceful Protest At Freedom Park

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (March 19) permitted the holding of a peaceful protest in relation to the 'Justice for Sowjanya Movement' at Freedom Park, Bengaluru.

Justice M Nagaprasanna, while disposing of the petitions filed by Karnataka Karmikara Vedike (R) and Native Empowering and Equipping Team For Hope And Interaction (R) said that the protest should be peaceful, failing which the authorities can take appropriate action. 

The Court noted, “I deem it appropriate to permit the petitioners to hold a peaceful protest, strictly in consonance with law and if there is any violation of the observations made in the aforesaid quoted judgments of the coordinate it would be open to the respondents state to take action in accordance with law which is also observed by the coordinate bench.”

Sowjanya was a college student from Belthangady Taluk in Dakshina Kannada, who was raped and murdered in 2012. Despite multiple investigations, the case remains unsolved. 

Advocate A Velan appearing for the petitioners informed the Court that a representation for holding protest given by the trust before the Tahsildar in Belthangady Taluk was allowed, however, the next day it was withdrawn, on objection being received from an advocate.

He argued that the Right to Protest cannot be stalled by the State Government by issuing gag orders, which prohibit anyone from protesting. He submitted that the protest by the organisers would be peaceful and if they violate any law, the police are at liberty to take action in accordance with law.

The Court took note of the representation submitted by the petitioner. It noted that the representation indicates that the peaceful protest is against the acquittal order, seeking setting up of an acquittal review committee in the case of Sowjanya, who died in the year 2012.

It also noted that the division bench while considering a similar gag order issued by the state government, had noted that defamatory statements could only be ascertained when the citizens are permitted to protest as every citizen has freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution.

Following this, the court disposed of the petitions granting permission to hold the protest.

Case Title: KARNATAKA KARMIKARA VEDIKE AND State of Karnataka

Case No: WP 7953/2025, WP 7957/2025

Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 111

Appearance: Advocate A Velan for Petitioners.