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Karnataka High Court on Tuesday stayed the proceedings initiated against few congress leaders for carrying out a padayatra in January this year demanding the implementation of the Makedatu project across the Cauvery river, amid Covid-19 restrictions, till the next hearing.

“Subject to further consideration, there would be a stay of the proceedings in C.C.No.8717/2022 pending on the file of the 42nd ACMM, Bangalore, till the next date of hearing,” Justice S. Sunil Dutt Yadav has ordered.

Validity of the criminal proceedings in said case was questioned by the congress leaders.

Senior Counsel A.S. Ponnanna, appearing for the Petitioners contended that for the purpose of Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020, reliance cannot be placed on the orders passed under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

It was also argued that the charge sheet filed refers to the provisions of the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020, but there is no notification under Sections 3 and 4 of the aforementioned Act, so the question of invoking the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020 does not arise.

Case Title: Sri D K Shivakumar v. the State of Karnataka