Karnataka High Court Permits Protest Rally In Mysore Football Ground, Asks Police To Relax Prohibitory Order In The Area

The Karnataka High Court on Monday (February 24) permitted the Rashtriya Suraksha Janndolan Samithi, Mysore to hold a peaceful march/rally–'Mysore Chalo' inside the football ground in the city, to protest against the recent stone-pelting incident in front of Udayagiri Police Station.

In doing so the court asked the Mysore Police Commissioner to pass orders relaxing Section 144 CrPC order in the area so that the protest can be held. The court has clarified that the protest will be held for one or one hand hour around 3 pm today.

While disposing of the plea, Justice R Devdas said, “The writ petition is disposed of directing the Police Commissioner to permit the petitioners to hold a peaceful rally only within the premises of football grounds at Mysore. For that purpose the Commissioner of Police may also pass necessary orders relaxing the Section 144 CrPC orders, only in the area where the protest is permitted to be held.”

The court also directed the petitioner–Rashtriya Suraksha Janandolan Samithi Mysore to execute a bond of Rs 1 Lakh in favour of jurisdictional tahsildar and tender it before the Commissioner of Police. The police and petitioner were also directed to videograph the entire proceeding.

The high court further directed the petitioner to ensure that protest is held peacefully and that "provocative statements" are not made which would incite communal feelings either amongst persons present in the ground or general public. If any untoward incident occurs the petitioner will be held liable for the same, the court added. 

The petitioner Samithi had challenged the Police's February 20 endorsement refusing to grant permission to hold the protest. 

Appearing for the petitioner Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam argued that the petitioner has a fundamental right to hold a rally or peaceful protest. It was contended that Udayagiri police station suffered due to stone pelting at the hands of certain members of the society. That the petitioner wants to hold a rally showing that the public in Mysore stand with police and that they condemn the act of such an unruly mob who pelted stones at the police. Therefore, the respondent should have permitted holding of the rally, Shyam said. 

Meanwhile appearing for the State, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty referred to another case where permission was allowed and untoward incident took place for which police is made to answer to queries raised by the court.

He said, “The persons like petitioners and organisations would state before the court that they would take responsibility if untoward incident happens, however, when things go out of control and on account of violent mob, injury is sustained by public and property. The petitioners will throw their hand runaway and ultimately it would be on police personnel to answer queries raised by the court”.

During the hearing the court suggested it would be very difficult for police to control the crowd if the rally is taken out on streets, a suggestion was made that a large area be identified, even if not designated for having the rally.

Following which the state government suggested that the protest could be held at the Football Grounds in Mysore.

Case Title: RASHTRIYA SURAKSHA JANANDOLAN SAMITHI MYSORE AND The Commissioner of Police, Mysore

Case No: WP 5408/2025

Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 71.

Appearance: Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam for Advocate Suyog Herele for Petitioners.

Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty for respondent.