Chikkamagaluru: The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday directed Praveen Togadia, International working president of Vishwa Hindu Parishat, to approach the appropriate authority to seek permission to visit Sringeri by road.
It may be recalled that Mangaluru Police Commissioner had banned entry of Togadia into Mangaluru from January 18 to 14. Challenging the ban, Togadia moved the court and submitted an affidavit before the court to visit Sringeri Temple by road on a religious visit and specifically stated that he would not make any public speeches or attend any public gathering, and will not address the media or make any inflammatory speeches, through audio or video. He also sought Z Plus security to him during the visit.
Advocate General Madhusudan R Naik contended that on the way to Sringeri, Togadia will have to pass by Chikkamagaluru, which is a sensitive area. The State government said that there were 19 criminal cases filed against Togadia for making inflammatory statements.
However, Assistant Solicitor General, Krishna S Dixit, appearing for Togadia, argued that no chargesheet was filed in any of the 19 cases registered against the VHP leader and that it would be the violation of the fundamental rights if Togadia was not allowed to visit Sringeri.
Disposing of the petition, the bench directed the petitioner to only visit the temple and not to speak to the media.
