How Congress Padayatra Is Allowed Amid COVID? Karnataka High Court Asks State

A division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Suraj Govindaraj, while hearing a petition filed by one Nagendra Prasad A.V, has directed the political party to also inform whether in the said rally they are taking all appropriate steps to ensure the compliance of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the state government and what measures are being taken by them to adhere to the SOP and in case of violation of the SOP what action do they propose to take.

Further, the court has directed the state government to inform the court on the next date (January 14) as to how and why the rallies, particularly the rally held by the Congress party is being permitted to continue and why no appropriate action has been taken by the state authorities to restrain the 6 respondent, from any such activities.

The PIL filed through advocate Shridhar Prabhu has prayed for order or direction to the State authorities not to allow any political rallies, dharnas and protest and to restrain Congress from holding and continuing the Padayatra amid the COVID-Omicron wave.

 The government counsel informed the court that the state government vide order dated January 4 has already banned the holding of any such rallies/dharnas or demonstrations involving gatherings of people. The Divisional Commissioner, Ramanagar district has issued notice dated 5-1-2022 to the political party informing that no permission has been granted to hold padayatra and they shall not hold any such rallies.