Karnataka HC refuses to stay PM Modi road shows in Bengaluru

The Karnataka High Court on Friday rejected a plea filed against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshows which were scheduled to be conducted in Bengaluru on May 6 and 7. The court recorded submissions by the state and the police that if the roadshows are held as planned, all precautionary measures will be in place.

The plea was filed by advocate N.P. Amrutesh, who argued that the roadshows would cause traffic congestion and inconvenience to citizens.

The Bench of Justices Krishna S Dixit and Vijaykumar A Patil noted that although the necessary party was not named as a respondent, the petitioner did not intend to obstruct the events entirely but sought fair regulation.

A Bench of Justices Krishna S Dixit and Vijaykumar A Patil said in its order,''We would have declined indulgence on the ground that the necessary party is not arrayed as a respondent. However, petitioner fairly submitted that he does not intend to impede the events of tomorrow absolutely. What he needs is fair regulation. There are elements of public interest therefore, we did not resort to that extreme measure. With this, the petition is laid to rest.''

The petition was filed by Bengaluru-based advocate N.P. Amrutesh. The petitioner had also sought a direction from the court to restrict or control any political rally after the declaration of results of the Karnataka Assembly elections on May 13.