Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 22: The state high court (HC) has allowed Yakshagana Melas being run under the banner of Kateel Goddess Durgaparameshwari temple to be continued to be operated as before as per the traditions in which the hereditary trustees and people who take vow to organize their performances run them, as before. This permission is valid for the current year.

The petition filed in this connection by the hereditary trustee of the temple came up for consideration on Thursday November 21 before a single judge bench headed by Justice B Veerappa. After hearing arguments and counter arguments, the bench ordered to continue to run the Melas as before for the current year. After directing that the Melas would be under the supervision of the deputy commissioner of the district, and passing directions to submit accounts of the Melas to him once in 15 days, the bench adjourned the hearing to December 9.

The muzrai commissioner who appeared in person before the bench on Thursday, executed a bond, assuring to withdraw a notification issued by him in this connection. He tendered an apology for passing this order in spite of a stay order issued by the high court being in operation. He agreed to issue a compliance report on Friday November 22 itself. Considering these things, the bench adjourned hearing after passing the above order.

The muzrai commissioner had directed the deputy commissioner of the district to investigate the operation of the Melas as the department had received certain complaints about the operation of the Melas and their accounts. The petitioner argued that the deputy commissioner, when submitting report as directed, had failed to consider objections raised by the temple and failed to take notice of the interim petitions filed by those who organize the performances of these troupes by means of a service to the Goddess. The petitioners also argued that the deputy commissioner has violated his brief in unilaterally filing an adverse report.