BENGALURU: The Dharwad bench of the Karnataka high court on Tuesday permitted the commissioner of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) to consider the applications received by him for installation of Ganesha idols and holding religious and cultural activities at Idgah Maidan, Hubballi for a limited period and pass appropriate order in accordance with law.
Justice Ashok S Kinagi passed this order after holding a special sitting to consider the petition filed by Anjuman-e-Islam.
The judge, however, reserved liberty to the petitioner to mention before him any Supreme Court order in a similar case concering the Idgah Maidan in Chamarajpet, Bengaluru. While stating so, the judge said that no final order had been yet passed by the Supreme Court in the case with a three judge bench constituted for the same and there was only the high court division bench’s order in the Bengaluru case before him.
“Admittedly, the respondents (HDMC) have received applications from the Hindu organizations for installation of Ganesha idol, holding religious and cultural activities, for a limited period in the petition property. As per Section 176 of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, the Commissioner can exercise power to dispose of the Corporation property for a temporary purpose, provided that such lease or concession shall be subject to the condition that the grantee shall not erect any permanent structure on the premises,” the judge has noted in his order.
Anjuman-E-Islam had moved the court seeking for restraining the authorities from granting permission for installation of Ganesha idol and cultural and religious activities at the maidan.