In a significant development aimed at preventing tragedies at large public events, the High Court of Karnataka on February 23 directed that the State’s newly prepared Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on crowd control will remain in force until a dedicated law is passed.
The order came in a public interest petition that sought accountability and preventive steps following a tragic incident linked to a mass gathering.
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Background of the Case
The writ petition was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution, seeking directions to the authorities to furnish a detailed report explaining the reasons behind the tragedy and whether it could have been prevented.
The matter was heard by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Poonacha.
During earlier hearings, the court had appointed a senior advocate as Amicus Curiae to assist in examining systemic gaps and suggesting safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Government Submits SOP on Crowd Management
When the matter was taken up, Advocate General K. Shashi Kiran Shetty submitted a memo dated January 13, 2026, along with a copy of the Standard Operating Procedure for Crowd Control and Mass Gathering Management.
The Advocate General informed the Bench that the suggestions made by the Amicus Curiae had been considered and incorporated into the SOP.
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He further apprised the court that the Karnataka Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Place of Gathering) Bill, 2025 had been referred by the Legislative Assembly for consultation. The proposed legislation seeks to introduce statutory safeguards for managing crowds at events and public gatherings.
Court’s Observations
After taking note of the submissions, the Bench observed that the government had placed on record both the SOP and a memo stating that the Legislative Assembly would consider the SOP in the context of the proposed Bill.
The court found it appropriate to ensure that interim safeguards remain operational until the proposed legislation becomes law.
In open court, the Bench indicated that public safety at mass events cannot remain uncertain while legislative processes are underway.
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Decision of the Court
Disposing of the petition, the Bench directed that the SOP dated January 13, 2026, prepared by the State Government, shall remain operative until the Karnataka Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Place of Gathering) Bill, 2025 is passed and enacted as law.
The court declined to pass any further directions at this stage but granted liberty to the Amicus Curiae to seek revival of the petition if the need arises in the future.
Before concluding, the Bench recorded its appreciation for the assistance rendered by the Amicus Curiae and the counsel appearing for the parties.
With these observations, the writ petition was disposed of.
Case Title: High Court of Karnataka v. State of Karnataka & Ors.
Case No.: Writ Petition No. 16530 of 2025 (GM-RES-PIL)
Decision Date: February 23, 2026
