There can't be one rule for political leaders and another for citizens: Karnataka High Court on temple visit of Yediyurappa's son amid COVID-19

Pulling up the State government for the special treatment given to BY Vijayendra, the son of Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, the Karnataka High Court opined that there cannot be one rule for citizens and another for political leaders..On May 18, Vijayendra had visited a temple in Mysuru district’s Nanjangud, while the COVID-19 lockdown was in force..A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka orally opined today,“That rule (not entering temples amid the COVID-19 lockdown) must apply to all citizens, you can’t apply it to one person. There cannot be one rule for political leaders and another for citizens.”.The issue came to the fore after a memo was filed in this regard by Advocate GR Mohan, who submitted that Vijayendra's journey amounted to a violation of Article 14 of other citizens who had to adhere to lockdown restrictions.During the hearing, Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi informed the Court that Vijayendra had gone to Mysore to visit the temple while on official COVID-19 duty.."For COVID related work, you need not enter the temple. Are citizens allowed to enter temples now?" the Court shot back..When AG Navadgi replied in the negative, the Court said,“All that we are saying is that it is sending wrong signals…”.AG Navadgi further said that the photograph annexed by petitioner Advocate GR Mohan was from 2018..The Court then proceeded to direct the State government to produce on record the report of Deputy Commissioner (DC), who had carried out a preliminary inquiry in the matter..The matter will be next heard on June 18.CM's Metro trial run.During the hearing, AG Navadgi had informed the Court that the grievance redressal mechanism, which was set up as per the direction of the Court, was receiving a large influx of complaints on persons violating social distancing norms..It was pointed that one of the complaints, which was moved by Mohan, highlighted the fact that the CM Yediyurappa had gone for a trial run on the Bangalore Metro, thereby violating social distancing norms..When the Court was informed of the same, it said,“Even during COVID-19, official work will have to be continued…”.The Court decided against passing any orders on the issue.