High court raps Anekal tehsildar over Karaga festival order

 The Karnataka High Court has reprimanded the Anekal tehsildar for issuing a misleading order regarding the conduct of the Karaga festival in Anekal. The court granted permission to Ramesh, son of priest Arjunappa, to lead the festival on April 12.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna’s single bench dismissed Chandrappa’s plea seeking permission to head this year’s Karaga procession. The judge criticized the tehsildar for issuing a contradictory order despite prior court rulings.

The tehsildar claimed Ramesh had earlier failed in his duties, which the court deemed an unfair ground to strip him of his rights. The bench clarified that Ramesh could be held accountable only if any disruption occurs and added that he would lose his rights if he fails to justify his actions.

Earlier, a division bench had upheld the appellate court’s decision in favor of Arjunappa’s family’s hereditary right to conduct the Karaga.

The court noted that bypassing their application violated previous rulings by the civil, high, and supreme courts, thereby disrespecting devotees’ sentiments. Ramesh’s lawyers argued that Chandrappa is neither a hereditary priest nor a legal successor. They accused him of manipulating the tehsildar to conduct the festival since 2011. Chandrappa’s counsel claimed Ramesh was unfit for the role, citing past failures and a 2023 FIR.

However, the government counsel admitted there was no record proving Ramesh’s repeated failure. The bench, after hearing all arguments, ruled in Ramesh’s favor.