Karnataka High Court: Holds Organizers Strictly Liable for Rally Incidents

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday orally told Hindu Jagarana Vedike that it would hold the organisers completely responsible for any untoward incident during the proposed Akhanda Bharatha Sankalpa Dina event in Mysuru on August 14.Justice Suraj Govindaraj directed the petitioners to provide the names of persons who would be responsible for the event.“Anything that happens, you will be completely responsible. Please give us the names of people who will be responsible for everything. We will impose that responsibility. No defence will be allowed. Strict liability,” the Court orally observed.Justice Suraj GovindarajThe Bench indicated that while the petitioner could hold a function at one location, the proposed march covering around 2.5 kilometres could not be permitted at the proposed time without the authorities addressing the law-and-order concerns.“So far as Independence Day is concerned, it can't hurt anybody. You (petitioner) will be responsible. Please give us the names of people who will be responsible for everything, anything that happens. You will be completely responsible,” the Court said.The march, to be held on August 15, will commence from RMC Ganesha Temple and proceed through Mission Hospital Circle, Sade Road, Meena Bazaar, CCB Police Station Circle, Lashkar Police Station Circle and Dodd Gadiyara Circle, before concluding with a stage programme at Kote Anjaneya Temple.Appearing for the petitioner, Senior Advocate M Arun Shyam challenged the police endorsemen