Authorities must consider residents’ representations and protect life and property from apprehended protests.

Residents of Mayuri Estate, Keshwapur, Hubballi, filed a writ petition alleging that farmer protests concerning sugarcane prices in their residential locality threatened residents’ rights and caused inconvenience.

They sought directions requiring protests to be held at designated places, protection of access for residents and emergency vehicles, and steps to prevent disruption from a demonstration expected on 17 October 2026.

The petitioners had submitted a representation to the authorities, identified as Annexure-E.

The State submitted that it would take appropriate steps to regulate the protests and protect residents’ lives and property.

The petition invoked the rights to move freely under Article 19(1)(d) and to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, alleging that protests in a residential area impaired those rights.

The petition also referred to this Court’s order dated 1 August 2022 in W.P. No. 5781/2021, but the judgment does not set out or apply any specific rule from that order.

The Court’s stated basis for relief was that residents’ representation seeking protection of life and property required proper consideration by the authorities.

The Court noted the residents’ concern that ongoing or anticipated protests could threaten their lives and property, and considered the State’s assurance that the protests would be regulated to avoid nuisance or threats.

Rather than grant the broader requested directions concerning designated protest sites or movement of emergency vehicles, the Court held that the representation required consideration and directed the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of Police to take appropriate steps in response.

The judgment did not grant the requested directions requiring all protests to occur only at designated areas.