Hassan DC issues notice to SP over violation of prohibitory orders

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Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Lathakumari has issued a show-cause notice to Superintendent of Police Shubhanvita over the immersion of Ganesha and Gowri idols at Devigere Tank, near Neerubagilu Anjaneya temple in the town, despite prohibitory orders issued by the DC.

On Saturday, the DC had prohibited immersion of Ganesha and Gowri idols in the tank area under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and Section 24 of the Water Act, 1974, until further orders. 

The order cited the risk of pollution from chemical paints, flowers, fruits and puja materials, and its impact on water quality, public health and aquatic life. It followed requests from the Hassan City Municipal Corporation Commissioner and the Tahsildar. 

The area falls under the Muzrai Department. However, the idols were immersed in the tank, violating the order.

Taking note of this, the DC issued a notice to the SP on Sunday. It asks why the matter should not be recommended to the competent authority for disciplinary action against her for dereliction of duty and arrogance unbecoming of a government servant. 

The notice says the police had been authorised to book those violating the order, but this was not done. The SP has been asked to reply in writing immediately on receiving the notice, failing which it will be assumed she has nothing to say. Copies were sent to Minister In-charge of the district, senior government officials, including the Chief Secretary, the Regional Commissioner, Mysuru, and the Inspector General of Police, Southern Range.

Meanwhile, Hassan MLA H.P. Swaroop Prakash has come out in support of the SP. Speaking to the media, he said the pandal Ganapati committee had been immersing the idol in Devigere Tank for the last six to seven decades. 

“We are also concerned about the cleanliness of the tank. However, if the DC was concerned, she should have banned immersion of all idols so far. Many idols installed at different places were already immersed in the same tank. The DC should have taken the opinions of elected representatives instead of issuing an order only hours before the procession was scheduled to begin,” he said.

He also expressed concern over the coming Hasanamba festival. “I am worried how the festival will be organised given the absence of coordination among senior officers in the district. The event attracts large gatherings from across the State, and the administration has to manage the crowd and ensure its success,” he said.

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