[Amit Shah rally in Belagavi] How can Police say that only 6 people did not wear masks at a rally of thousands? Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court on Friday questioned the State government regarding the claims made on affidavit by the Commissioner of Police, Belagavi that only six people had violated COVID-19 norms by not wearing masks at a political rally organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Belagavi on January 17..The BJP had held a rally at the Belagavi District Stadium led by Home Minister Amit Shah. The Court was earlier apprised that thousands of people participated in the rally, in violation of social distancing guidelines..During the hearing on Friday, Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj said that there was something "fundamentally wrong" with the claim now being made that only six people did not wear masks at that rally when photographs of the event contradicted the claim. “There is something fundamentally wrong with this. The Commissioner has said only 6 people violated. Commissioner has made a mockery. In a rally of thousands, only 6 people are not wearing masks? On what basis has he said this? There are photographs.”.The Court hearing a plea moved by Letzkit Foundation, seeking strict implementation of COVID-19 norms in the State..Further, the Court opined that all the participants in the rally, who were not wearing masks have violated Section 5 of the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act..Therefore, in its order, the Court recorded,“We have perused affidavit by Commissioner of Police Belagavi. Officer has maintained that only six persons were found without wearing masks.”.However, advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi assured the Court that as a First Information report was registered on May 14, a proper investigation would be conducted, and action would be taken against everyone who has violated the law..“Fines have been levied. FIR has been registered; we will sincerely investigate," he said..At this point, the Court pointed out that the said FIR was registered belatedly, 5 months after the rally."I will admit, milord, criminal law was set into motion after your Lordship's intervention," said AG Navadgi. .The Court proceeded to direct the Commissioner of Police to place on record in a sealed cover, the investigation carried till now. The same has to be done by July 19. The Court on Friday also noted with disapproval the fact that Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's son, BY Vijayendra had entered the premises of a temple in Mysuru, at a time when lockdown restrictions were in place in Karnataka due to COVID-19.The Court said that if the State Executive Committee under the Disaster Management Act directs that a temple shall be closed for the members of the public, then the said order has to be scrupulously complied with by all concerned without any exceptions..The matter will be next heard on July 22.