Authority: High Court of Karnataka at Bengaluru

Order Date: 06‑Nov‑2026

Case Overview

  • Petition No. 34591 of 2026 filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution by Santosh A, son of the late Armugam, aged about 36, residing at 19/1, 1st Cross, Prakashnagar, 2nd Main Road, Srirampuram Post, Bengaluru‑560021 (advocated by Sri Manoj Kumar V).
  • Respondents: (1) Assistant Executive Engineer, B.B.M.P (now Greater Bengaluru Authority), Sri Ramamandira Sub‑Division, Bengaluru West (represented by H.C.G.P); (2) Commissioner of GBA (West Zone) (represented by H.C.G.P); (3) Chief Commissioner of GBA (Corporation Head Office, Hudson Circle, N.R. Square) (represented by H.C.G.P) (advocated by Sri Pawan Kumar).
  • Petitioner sought: (a) permission to organise a cricket tournament on 05‑Nov‑2026 and 06‑Nov‑2026 at Sri Rama Mandira Playground (Rajajinagar Maidan); (b) restraining other merchants from installing fire‑cracker stalls for the Diwali festival on the same dates.
  • Initial permission was granted, but the first respondent issued an Endorsement dated 03‑Nov‑2026 withdrawing the permission while the tournament was already underway on 05‑Nov‑2026.
  • Counsel for petitioner argued the withdrawal was arbitrary and requested the Court to allow the tournament to continue on 05‑Nov‑2026 and 06‑Nov‑2026, with the petitioner handing over the Maidan after the event.
  • Respondent counsel contended the withdrawal was due to the petitioner’s request for an extension to 07‑Nov‑2026 and that SOP issued by the Commissioner required the Maidan to be handed over on 07‑Nov‑2026 for fire‑cracker stall installation; the SOP was not in force on 29‑Oct‑2026 when permission was initially granted.
  • Petitioner’s counsel asserted that all arrangements, including flood‑light set‑up, were ready to continue the tournament through the night of 06‑Nov‑2026 and until 10 pm on 07‑Nov‑2026, after which flood‑lights could remain for fire‑cracker vendors.

Final Outcome

  • The petition is disposed of. The Court directs the respondents, notwithstanding the Endorsement dated 03‑Nov‑2026, to permit the petitioner to continue the cricket tournament until 10 pm on 07‑Nov‑2026, subject to the following conditions:
  • A: The tournament must be concluded before 10 pm on 07‑Nov‑2026.
  • B: If the tournament continues on 07‑Nov‑2026, the flood‑light arrangement in the Maidan shall be maintained at the petitioner’s cost until the early hours of 08‑Nov‑2026.
  • C: The respondents shall not demand any further payments from the petitioner, and the petitioner may commence the event immediately without awaiting further court orders.

Topics: Legal Order, Sports Event Management