Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Dec 12: Rudely jolted to realize the extent to which rallies and mammoth gatherings in the city can play havoc with the normal lives of the already harassed citizens of the city as evidenced by the last month's JD(S) rally at the anointment ceremony of H D Kumaraswamy as the state unit chief of the party, city police commissioner Shankar Bidari filed a report in the state High Court on Thursday December 11, saying that the department has decided not to allow any rallies or processions in which more than 15,000 people are expected to participate.

The High Court is hearing a public interest litigation(PIL) filed by a city-based NGO named Janagraha, which wants to put severe strictures on holding political rallies in the city.  In his report, the police commissioner said, that as an interim measure and till the final verdict in the said PIL is pronounced, and taking cognizance of serious observations made by the Chief Justice, the police have decided not allow public meetings in which more than 15,000 people are expected to take part.

The policemen in drafting the said rules, have invoked provisions of section 31 of Karnataka Police Act 1963. Draft rules were filed in the High Court on November 26, and the same were revised based on observations made by the division bench of the High Court. The revised rules have now been submitted to the High Court, the commissioner said.

The report also makes it compulsory for the organizers of the rallies to obtain prior permission apart from furnishing indemnity bonds before holding them. The organizers will then be held responsible for any loss caused to the public property during such rallies.