K'taka HC slams govt, Cong over Mekedatu padayatra; demands clarification by Jan 14

Taking the government to task, the divisional bench headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi of the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday slammed the ruling BJP government and the opposition Congress over Mekedatu padayatra and issued notices. The bench, which was hearing a petition filed by social activist Nagendra Prasad, has directed both the parties to issue a clarification by January 14.

The HC issued notices to the state government, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Ramanagar District Commissioner and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Wednesday.

Is the government incapable of taking action in this regard, the bench questioned. It further questioned the government's helplessness and instructed it to clarify what action was taken to prevent the rally by January 14.

To the Congress, the bench asked how it violated Covid guidelines and conducted the rally. Questioning the timing of the padayatra, it directed the opposition party to respond on January 14.

FIRs have been lodged against Congress leaders in the matter, the counsel for the state government informed the court. The 10-day padayatra was launched by the Congress demanding the speedy implementation of the Mekedatu project, which is opposed by neighbouring state Tamil Nadu and before the Supreme Court, for providing drinking water to Bengaluru and surrounding areas.

"The Covid is not spreading because of Congress padayatra. It is spreading because of the negligence of the government. We will wait and see the order by the court in this regard," Siddaramaiah said while adding that their advocate would represent them in court.

The divisional bench, meanwhile, expressed concern over the matter and observed how such a thing against the interest of the public could take place when the state is already affected by the Covid crisis.