Karnataka: DK Shivakumar orders probe after ministers stopped from entering Mysuru Palace event

Bengaluru: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has ordered an inquiry into an incident in which three Karnataka ministers were allegedly prevented by police officials from entering the venue of the Nandi Dhwaja Pooja at the Mysuru Palace premises on Wednesday.

The CM directed Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to conduct a probe and submit a report on the circumstances that led to Ministers HC Balakrishna, PM Narendraswamy and KS Basavanthappa being stopped from entering the event.

The Nandidhwaja Pooja is an important ritual marking the commencement of Mysuru Dasara festivities, one of Karnataka's most significant cultural events.


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Shivakumar, in a statement, said the conduct of the officials was unacceptable and amounted to high-handedness.

“It is evident that the officials acted high-handedly by restricting the ministers themselves. I personally intervened immediately to facilitate the ministers' entry. However, such irresponsibility from officials cannot be tolerated,” the CM said.

He asked the Chief Secretary to identify those responsible and submit a report at the earliest. Action would be taken against the erring officials based on the findings of the inquiry, he added.

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The incident has raised questions about coordination between the district administration, police and event organisers during high-profile state functions attended by senior government members.