Bengaluru: A Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court (HC) on Friday directed the Government to restrict rallies and political gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Suraj Govindaraj said the Mekedatu padayatra of the Congress has been temporarily suspended and the Government should strictly follow its standard operating procedure in all districts.

The Congress had organised the padayatra from Jan. 9 seeking early implementation of the Mekedatu project.

Petitioner A.V. Nagendra Prasad said the Congress padayatra had come amid a huge spike of Covid cases.

The PIL sought a direction to the Government not to allow political rallies and protests.

On Wednesday, the Court flayed the Congress and the Government for a rally held by the former at Mekedatu.