Lokpal Bill: PIL against Anna Hazare's fast dismissed, high court says citizens have right to protest

BANGALORE: Karnataka High Court today dismissed a PIL petition seeking directions to restrain social activist Anna Hazare's three-day fast and 'Jail Bharo' stir over Lokpal Bill, observing that the citizens had the right to protest.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Rammohan Reddy and Justice Venugopal Rao in its order also observed that there was no public interest in the petition.

The petition was filed by advocate A V Amanath, contending that the fast and jail bharo programme were "illegal and unconstitutional".

He had alleged the protest amounted to 'a criminal conspiracy and offence against public tranquillity.'

Meanwhile, some members of India Against Corruption ( IAC) commenced a fast at the Freedom Park to express solidarity with Hazare who is on the three-day protest in Mumbai demanding a stronger Lokpal Bill.

Freedom fighter and Gandhian H S Doraiswamy Iyengar was among others who are taking part in the fast here.