Udupi: District Magistrate Swaroop T.K. has issued an order restricting Bajrang Dal leader Puneeth Attavar from entering Udupi district for three months, citing law and order and public interest concerns. The restriction will remain in force from August 14 to November 13.

The order has been issued under the powers cited by the district administration under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. As per the order, Attavar will not be permitted to enter any part of Udupi district during the specified period.

Restriction to remain in force for three months

According to the district administration, the restriction will take effect from August 14 and continue until November 13.

The decision has been taken in the interest of maintaining law and order and protecting public interest, according to the District Magistrate’s order.

Such preventive restrictions are imposed by authorities when they assess that the presence or activities of an individual could potentially affect public order or lead to tensions.

The order specifically applies to Puneeth Attavar and covers the entire geographical limits of Udupi district.

Objections invited from Attavar

The district administration has provided an opportunity to submit objections to the restriction order.

According to the statement issued by the District Collector, objections must be submitted in writing by 12 noon on August 13.

The objections can be submitted through the personnel responsible for implementing the order or through the email address of the District Collector’s office.

The administration has made it clear that the stipulated deadline will be followed while considering any representation against the restriction.

Administration warns of further action

The District Collector said that if no objection is received within the prescribed period, it will be treated as though there is no statement or objection against the order.

Further legal action will then be taken according to the applicable rules, the statement said.

The provision cited in the order allows authorities to issue preventive directions in situations involving concerns relating to public order and safety.

The administration’s decision comes with the stated objective of preventing any situation that could disturb law and order in the district.

Order covers entire Udupi district

The restriction is not limited to a particular town, locality or police station jurisdiction.

Puneeth Attavar has been barred from entering any area of Udupi district during the three-month period specified in the order.

This means the restriction covers the district’s various urban and rural areas for the duration mentioned by the District Magistrate.

The order will come into effect on August 14, with the restriction scheduled to remain in place until November 13.

Preventive action and law and order

District administrations can take preventive measures when there are concerns about maintaining public order.

Such orders are distinct from a criminal conviction and are intended to prevent possible disturbances rather than determine guilt in a criminal case.

In this instance, the Udupi administration has cited law and order and public interest as the basis for restricting Attavar’s entry into the district.

The opportunity provided to submit objections is part of the process outlined by the district administration.

Any representation submitted within the prescribed timeframe will have to be considered in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.

Focus on maintaining peace

Udupi is a district with several important religious, cultural and tourist centres and frequently witnesses large gatherings and public events.

Against this backdrop, authorities have stressed the importance of maintaining peace and preventing situations that could potentially result in public-order concerns.

The latest restriction means that Attavar will have to remain outside Udupi district during the specified period unless the order is modified or otherwise dealt with through the applicable legal process.

The district administration’s statement has not, in the material provided, detailed the specific incidents or grounds that led to the restriction order. The stated basis is the interest of law and order and public interest.

Next steps

The immediate deadline in the matter is 12 noon on August 13, by which objections to the restriction can be submitted to the District Collector’s office through the designated personnel or the specified email channel.

If no objection is received within the deadline, the administration has said it will proceed on the basis that there is no statement or objection and take further action according to the rules.

The restriction is scheduled to begin on August 14 and remain effective for three months.

The development places the focus on the administration’s preventive law-and-order measures and the legal process available to the affected individual to challenge or respond to the order.