Public Notice Published In Newspapers To Seek Information On Availability Of Burial Grounds In Villages: Karnataka Govt To High Court

The Karnataka government on Thursday informed the High Court that it has published a public notice in local and national newspapers, seeking information on availability of burial grounds in the villages. 

A division bench of Justice B Veerappa and Justice Venkatesh Naik T took on record the affidavit filed by the Principal Secretary (Revenue Department) in this regard.

“After collecting the necessary information, steps will be taken to provide burial grounds to every village in the state of Karnataka,” the State said, while seeking further time of two weeks for filing the compliance report.

The High Court had earlier slammed the State government over lack of burial grounds in certain villages. “This is basic needs, people want basic needs, burial ground and road and water. This is your duty, Constitutional mandate, why are you not doing?", the court had said.

The court had made the observations while hearing a contempt petition filed by petitioner Moahmmed Ikbal for action against alleged wilful disobedience of a 2019 order wherein a Coordinate Bench had directed the State Government to take all possible steps to provide burial grounds to all the villages and towns within a period of six months.

Posting the matter for further hearing on April 20, the bench today said, “We are virtually monitoring the progress in the matter. Every two weeks we are hearing the matter.”

Case Title: Mohammad Ikbal And M. Maheshwar Rao

Case No: CCC 343/2020