Puttur: The Puttur Town police have registered a case against Ajith Rai Hosamane, organisers of the ‘Panchamukhi Friends’ tableau and others for allegedly violating conditions governing loudspeaker use and obstructing police personnel during the Ganeshotsava immersion procession on September 17.

The case was registered based on a complaint lodged by a police sub-inspector who was deployed for law-and-order duty during the procession. The complaint alleged that a loudspeaker attached to the ‘Panchamukhi Friends’ tableau was used beyond the permitted time despite repeated instructions from the police to switch it off.

Loudspeaker use permitted until 10 pm

According to the complaint, permission had been granted for the use of loudspeakers during the Ganeshotsava immersion procession subject to certain conditions. One of the conditions required the loudspeakers to be switched off by 10 pm.

Several tableaux participated in the immersion procession, and the organisers generally switched off their loudspeakers after the stipulated deadline, the complaint stated.

However, at around 10.35 pm, police personnel noticed that the ‘Panchamukhi Friends’ tableau near the Puttur KSRTC bus stand junction was still using a loudspeaker.

The police personnel on duty reportedly approached those responsible for the tableau and instructed them to stop the use of the loudspeaker in accordance with the permission granted for the procession.

Following the instruction, the loudspeaker was initially switched off.

Loudspeaker allegedly switched on again

The complaint alleged that Ajith Rai Hosamane and some others, who were not associated with the programme, subsequently arrived at the location.

According to the police complaint, they allegedly told the tableau organisers not to switch off the loudspeaker and instructed them to resume its use.

The loudspeaker was subsequently switched on again, despite the time limit imposed under the permission granted for the procession.

Police personnel present at the location again directed those involved to stop using the loudspeaker. However, the complaint alleged that the instructions were not followed and that the loudspeaker continued to be used.

The police have treated the alleged continuation of loudspeaker use after the permitted time as a violation of the conditions imposed for the programme.

Police cite Supreme Court directions

The police reportedly explained to those present the directions of the Supreme Court relating to the use of loudspeakers, as well as the conditions imposed by the Puttur Town police station while granting permission for the programme.

Despite the explanation and instructions, the loudspeaker was allegedly continued to be used, according to the complaint.

The police complaint further alleged that the conduct of those present obstructed police personnel who were carrying out their duties during the immersion procession.

Ganeshotsava immersion processions typically involve large gatherings and require police deployment to regulate traffic, maintain public order and ensure compliance with the conditions prescribed for the events.

In this case, the police officer deployed for law-and-order arrangements later appeared at the Puttur Town police station and formally lodged the complaint.

Case registered at Puttur Town police station

Based on the complaint, the Puttur Town police registered a case against Ajith Rai Hosamane, the organisers of the ‘Panchamukhi Friends’ tableau and others.

The police have sought appropriate legal action in connection with the alleged violation of the loudspeaker-use conditions and the alleged obstruction of police personnel in the discharge of their duties.

The case relates to the incident during the September 17 Ganeshotsava immersion procession and will be subject to further investigation by the police.