Dakshina Kannada District Administration in Karnataka filed a police complaint against multiple parties on Sunday after its officials raided a temple in Mangaluru to stop wedding ceremonies violating Covid-19 norms.
According to Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner KV Rajendra, based on information from local residents, officials found that a total of four weddings were held at Mahathobara Shree Mangaladevi temple during the day.
“Temples and religious places are not yet open to the public under current Covid-19 restrictions, and people shouldn’t be gathering in such large numbers,” Rajendra told The Indian Express.
The county government learned that the wedding parties were allowed to host the events by “a health officer from Mangaluru City Corporation who is not the competent authority.” “An investigation is ongoing based on a complaint filed with the relevant police station,” added Rajendra.
Another senior official confirmed that a “most attended” ceremony was halted when a team of officials led by Deputy Commissioner Madan Mohan searched the venue.
“We received information that over 100 cars were parked on the temple grounds and that a large crowd had gathered at the venue for a wedding. The MCC team, led by Assistant Commissioner Madan Mohan, searched the venue to stop the ceremony and ask the crowd to disperse, “the official said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Hariram Shankar confirmed that FIRs had been filed against MCC health officials, temple authorities and the spouses.
“Although temples are not allowed to host events, various photos and video footage from the venue have shown that an estimated 150 people attended the ceremony. The FIRs were filed under the relevant sections of the Epidemic Diseases Act 2020, ”he said.
Dakshina Kannada is one of the few districts in Karnataka that has reported over 4,500 new Covid-19 infections in the past seven days. The coastal district has 7,126 active cases as of Sunday just behind Bengaluru Urban (71,282) and Mysuru (7,529).
While the Karnataka government has announced several phased easing of pandemic restrictions since June 14, the public is still permitted in places of worship across the state.
