Idol immersion ban: Hassan collector pulls up SP over enforcement failure

A dispute between the district administration and police has surfaced in Karnataka’s Hassan, with Deputy Commissioner KS Lathakumari issuing a show-cause notice to Superintendent of Police Shubhanitva over the alleged failure to enforce a ban on Ganesh and Gowri idol immersions.

The SP has been directed to appear before the Deputy Commissioner and submit a written explanation. The notice warns that an unsatisfactory response could lead to a recommendation for disciplinary action to the competent authority.

The notice, dated October 4, refers to an order issued the previous day prohibiting public immersion of idols at Devigere, near the Neerubagilu Anjaneya Temple in Hassan city.IMMERSIONS ALLEGEDLY HELD DESPITE BAN

The district administration imposed the restriction citing concerns over water pollution, public health, environmental protection and aquatic life.

According to the notice, Ganesh and Gowri idols were immersed at Devigere despite the ban. It said police had neither registered cases against the organisers and individuals involved nor taken appropriate legal action.

The earlier order had directed police to initiate action against any violation, the notice stated.DC SEEKS EXPLANATION FROM SP

The administration said the ban was imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Section 24 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

The notice described the alleged failure to enforce the order as dereliction of duty and asked the SP to explain the lapse.

If the explanation is not satisfactory, the matter could be referred to the competent authority for disciplinary action, it warned.- Ends

Nagarjun Dwarakanath covers Politics extensively in Karnataka and across Southern India. A commercial Pilot by qualification, Nagarjun covers Aviation beat for India today