Hazare's protest amounts to criminal conspiracy: PIL

Barely hours before Anna Hazare is to commence his next phase of agitation for a strong Lokpal, a PIL petition was today filed in Karnataka High Court seeking to restrain his three-day fast and 'Jail Bharo' stir contending that they were 'illegal and unconstitutional'.

In his PIL, advocate AV Amarnathan pleaded that Hazare's protest should be restrained as it amounted to "a criminal conspiracy and offence against public tranquility".

He contended that Hazare was making 'nuisance' by mobilising public for "an illegal and unconstitutional fast in Mumbai on December 27".

This is the second PIL against Hazare's fast beginning on Tuesday in Mumbai after a similar plea was made before the Bombay High Court.

The petitioner has named Union Government, Karnataka Government and India Against Corruption as respondents.

IAC is organising the fast and also jail baro programme in parts of Karnataka.