The Karnataka High Court on Thursday objected to the opposition Congress's padayatra requesting that work on the Mekedatu project, which would deliver drinking water to Bengaluru and its surroundings, begin.
The court also directed the Congress to refrain from staging any protests in Bengaluru in the future. This order was issued by a Division Bench led by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice S.R. Krishnakumar.
The court also directed the administration to ensure that the protests and agitations are limited to the Freedom Park grounds and do not disrupt vehicle riders or the general public. "It took us an hour to get to the High Court. How are ordinary folks supposed to get around? This should be restricted by the government "The bench remarked.
The order gives jurisdictional police inspectors the authority to file criminal charges for violations of IPC Section 188 (disobedience to a public servant's command) and the Karnataka Police Act, 1963.
The Mekedatu padayatra 2.0, which is demanding that the government implement the project, will culminate on Thursday at the National College Grounds, where the party has prepared a big gathering.
The padayatra restarted from Ramnagar, where it had been halted during the third wave of the Covid. The Congress leaders are leading a 78.9-kilometer protest march from Mekhri Circle to the Basavanagudi National College Grounds.
Mekedatu padayatra set to enter Bengaluru city
Congress's Karnataka unit resumes Medkadatu project padayatra
