Did Chief Minister's Son Travel To Mysore District For Temple Puja During Lockdown? Karnataka High Court Asks State

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the direction after a memo was filed before it drawing the court's attention to the incident.

The court noted that the memo, supported with photographs, alleged that to enable a political leader to perform puja, a temple was opened in violation of the directions issued by the government.

"State government must file its response to what is stated in the memo, by June 3", the bench ordered.

Advocate Puttige R Ramesh, appearing for the petitioner Letzkit foundation, submitted  that "The ruling party as well as opposition parties have been violating rules (Covid-19 norms) with impunity."

The court in its order granted time till Jun 3, to the state government to file its compliance report to the directions issued by the court on April 15 and April 22.

In regards to the rally held at Belgavi on January 17, which was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the court had on March 12 prima facie held that it appears to be a case of violation of the rules regarding wearing of masks and social distancing. Issuing notice to respondents, the court had directed any Senior Officer appointed by the third respondent –the Commissioner of Police -to file an affidavit dealing with the allegations made in the petition.

Today, on going through the affidavit filed by the police in the petition filed by National Human Rights Protection and Corruption Crime Control, the court said "Perusal of the said affidavit shows complete ignorance on part of commissioner of regulations laid down under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020."

It added "Perhaps the commissioner was unaware about the provisions of said regulation made under the of Act of 2020. The affidavit of commissioner shows that not a single FIR was registered against violators."

The court said "Reading the affidavit as a whole, we find that the Commissioner approached the matter very casually. Large gathering in Belagavi where rules regarding wearing of masks and social distancing were thrown to the wind, the commissioner seems to be satisfied with the recovery of the fine amount."

The court directed the Commissioner to explain why even a single First Information Report, was not registered for violation of provisions of the said Act of 2020 and regulations framed thereunder.

"We direct the Commissioner to file an affidavit by June 3", the Court directed.

The court also granted time to the state government and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to file compliance report to the orders passed earlier by the next date.