'Does Maintaining Law & Order Mean Event Be Cancelled?': Karnataka High Court Questions Police Over Recommendation To Cancel Fair

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (January 21) orally questioned the police on why it recommended cancellation of a traditional fair sought to be conducted in Chithradurga district over apprehension of a possible law and order situation.

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.

The court asked the concerned police officer to file a report explaining why the officer thought that preventive measures would not be plausible in the present circumstances.

During the hearing, the advocate appearing for the State submitted before Justice BM Shyam Prasad that the concerned police officer (respondent 5) had given a report to the jurisdictional Tahsildar (respondent 4).

The counsel said that Police Officer had cited "attempt to murder instances when the fair was held during the previous year" and pending criminal proceedings as well as a "possible law and order situation because some are conspiring to create a ruckus".

At this stage the court orally asked, "Does maintaining law and order only mean you cancel the event? If somebody is conspiring to disrupt, we ask you is the Police without power under the law to do something to prevent those people from carrying out their conspiracy. Do we advise the police? Not persuaded at all...We are calling upon the...police inspector respondent 5 why he cannot take precautionary, preventive measures to ensure those conspiring are prevented from doing this. Whoever it is".

It thereafter in its order dictated:

"This court at this stage finds the respondent 5 must place on record why other measures in law would not be permissible against those who could create law and order situation. Therefore subject to further orders respondent 5 is directed to place on record the measures that are possible in law and why none of them will be plausible in the present circumstances. The respondent 5 shall place this report on record by next date of hearing".

The petitioners contended that though they filed a representation on 24-11-2025 for permission to organize the fair and that the jurisdictional deputy commissioner has called for a report, they are not being informed about the outcome.

The plea also sought adequate police protection and security arrangements for smooth conduct of the Jatra.

The matter is listed on January 23.

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

WP 1450/2026