All steps will be taken to ensure peace: Karnataka govt to high court

All steps would be taken to maintain law and order in the state in the light of the September 24 verdict on Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute, the state government assured the high court of Karnataka on Wednesday.

The government made the submission in response to a public interest litigation by a city-based lawyer. The lawyer, S Vasudeva, had raised fears over the law and order situation in the state after the Allahabad high court pronounced its judgment on the vexed issue.

A division bench comprising chief justice JS Khehar and justice Manjula Chellur disposed the PIL after getting the government’s assurance.

The government submitted before the court that the state police would take all measures to ensure that the law and order situation would not be disturbed by the verdict on the Ayodhya issue.
The submission was made after consulting the Bangalore commissioner of police, Shankar M Bidari.

Petitioner Vasudeva had submitted that anti-social elements might use the verdict as an excuse to incite violence with ulterior motives.

Possible violent incidents might result in loss of life and property, besides affecting the peace and tranquillity in the state, he contented.

Vasudeva further submitted that the state government had not instructed district authorities and the police to strictly enforce the rule of law. The peace keeping agency had not banned processions, he told in the PIL.