The Karnataka High Court has directed the Bengaluru city police to clarify as to why they were being discriminatory against Sunny Leone while allowing other similar New Year events to proceed in the city.
The question came after petitioners moved the High Court alleging that the authorities were falsely using security reasons for not giving them permission to hold an event featuring Sunny Leone.
Justice B Veerappa ordered the Bengaluru city policy to submit an affidavit on the number of clubs that have been so far been granted permission to hold New Year events. The judge has also directed the police to take a decision on whether Leone can perform at private New Year’s Eve events in the city.
The petition has been filed by Times Creation Managing Director Harish, who noted that there were 50 other events that have so far been granted permission by the police and only their application seeking permission for the event with Leone had not been considered.
The issue had turned controversial after Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Yuva Sene activists protested against the Sunny Leone event calling it “anti-culture”. They have also threatened mass suicide if she is allowed to visit Bengaluru.
Police Rejected Application After 18 Days
Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Shyam Sundar said that the police had verbally rejected the application stating that they would not give permission for an event starring Leone. The lawyer highlighted that the decision had come 18 days after the submission of the application.
Sundar also pointed out that Jurisdictional DCP Girish who was present in the court had stated that the police had never permitted any public show which he said “is impossible to accept”.
Times Creations proprietor Bhavya HS has said that the event was being organized at a cost of Rs. 2.5 crore and the application had been submitted by December 1 to the relevant Jurisdictional police who had assured a favourable response within 4-5 days .
The police has been directed to submit the required information before the next hearing which is scheduled for December 25.
