Can't Yield To Lawbreakers: Karnataka High Court Asks Police, Organizer To Discuss Measures For 'Peaceful' Conduct Of Traditional Fair

The Karnataka High Court on Friday (January 23) directed the concerned police inspector and administration of Chithradurga district to convene a meeting with the organizers of a traditional fair in the area so as to ensure that it is conducted peacefully.

In doing so the court observed that the administration cannot give into the conduct of a few persons who may try to create a law and order situation but at the same time said that the organizers must also assist the administration.

The court was hearing a plea seeking a direction to the tahsildar and the police officer to forthwith consider the petitioner's representation of 27-11-2025 and grant permission to conduct the Veeramarannaswamy Jatra/Fair between 28.01.2026 to 03.02.2026.

On January 21 the court had called upon the jurisdictional police inspector to place on record why measures permissible in law cannot be adopted against those who could create law and order situation instead of stopping the fair.

The court had noted that the authorities were of the opinion that the fair must not be held because there have been attempt to murder instances when the fair was held last year and there were possibilities of "law and order situation situation because some are conspiring to create a ruckus".

Justice BM Shyam Prasad in his order while taking note of the police inspector's report noted:

a. There are rival groups including the petitioners who insist that the fair and services to deity must be by them

b. A peace meeting was convened and only the petitioners paticipated in such meeting and a rival group headed by a certain person had refused to participate in the meeting

c. In 2020 there was a rumour that the devotees who visit the temple could be poisoned

d. That there is a possibility of damages to the property and lives if the fair is held

e. The report also says that though bonds are taken under Section 107 of CrPC on previous occasion it was of no avail

"This court must opine that the reluctance on the administration to permit fair appears to be due to the conduct of a few who want to be outside the rule of law and the authorities cannot give into conduct of such persons. But then the petitioner must also ensure that they do not insist upon performing every act that is traditionally part of the fair if the fair is to continue," the court said.

"Therefore this court opines that the jurisdictional Tahsildar and police inspector must convene meeting with petitioners and advice them on those measures that would help administration in ensuring that there is no damage to property and life and the fair is conducted in a peaceful manner but while also reiterating that jurisdictional police must take every preventive measures including arrest that may be permissible in law to ensure that there is no untoward incident," the court added.

The court also noted Tahsildar's submission that the court may observe that petitioner may desist from evening procession as that could be difficult period to monitor the situation.

The court disposed of the petition and asked the petitioners to assist the administration in identifying the measures that must be taken for the proper conduct of the fair.

The court also asked the Tahsildar and the Police Inspector to take every measure including measures to secure additional deployment to ensure that there is no untoward incident during the fair.

Case title: VEERAMARANNASAMY DEVARAJEERRNODDARA KATTADA SEVA SAMITHI AND ANOTHER v/s THE STATE OF KARNATAKA AND OTHERS

WP 1450/2026