Mangaluru City Police Issues Conditions for Public Events and Processions During Festive Season
Mangaluru: In view of the upcoming festive season, several public events and processions are scheduled to be held within Mangaluru City Police limits, including Eid Milad (August 25, 2026), Krishna Janmashtami and Mosaru Kudike (September 4 and 5, 2026), Ganesh Chaturthi (from September 14, 2026), Navarathri Sharada Mahotsava (October 11 to 21, 2026), Deepavali (November 8 to 10, 2026), and Christmas (December 25, 2026), among others.
In the interest of public peace, safety and legal compliance, the Mangaluru City Police have issued a set of conditions that all organisers seeking permission within the city police limits must strictly follow.
Event-specific instructions regarding routes, timings, sound systems and other arrangements will be issued before each event. Organisers must mandatorily submit details of the event and the contact details of responsible persons. Permission will not be granted if these details are not furnished.
The designated responsible persons will be held accountable for violations of the conditions or any untoward incidents, and legal action will be initiated wherever necessary.
1. Mandatory Police Permission and Adherence to Timings
No event or procession shall be conducted without prior written permission from the police and other concerned departments. For events at private venues, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner is mandatory.
No procession will be permitted beyond 11:30 p.m. under any circumstances. Any gathering or procession continuing beyond that time will be treated as an unlawful assembly.
Events must be conducted strictly at the approved location and along the approved route. Any deviation will be treated as a violation.
Violation: Action will be initiated under Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, relating to unlawful assembly, and Section 92(1) of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, concerning breach of public order.
2. Complete Ban on DJ Systems; Loudspeakers Permitted Only with Approval
The use of DJs, high-decibel speakers and similar sound systems is strictly prohibited. Loudspeakers may be used only with prior written permission and must be switched off by 10 p.m.
Noise levels must remain within the prescribed limits: 65 dB in commercial areas, 55 dB in residential areas and 50 dB in silence zones.
Violation: Action will be taken under Sections 270 and 223 of the BNS, 2023, Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, Section 31 of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, and other relevant provisions, including those under the Explosives Act, 1884, wherever applicable.
3. Round-the-Clock Security and CCTV Requirement
Organisers must deploy security personnel around the clock at event venues to protect idols, pandals and other valuables.
CCTV cameras must be installed, and the recorded footage must be preserved for a minimum of 30 days.
Violation: Non-compliance will attract legal action under relevant provisions of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, and the Karnataka Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2017.
4. Ban on Hate Speech and Communal Content
No slogans, banners, performances or social media content that promote hatred, insult any religion or community, or disturb communal harmony will be permitted.
Violation: Offenders will face action under relevant provisions of the BNS, 2023, including Sections 196, 299, 352 and 353.
5. Crowd Control and Deployment of Volunteers
Organisers must ensure that the number of people attending an event does not exceed the approved capacity. An adequate number of volunteers must be deployed for crowd management.
Violation: Failure to comply will invite action under relevant provisions of the BNS, 2023, and the Karnataka Police Act, 1963.
6. Structure Height Restrictions and Vehicle Safety
The height of pandals, vehicles and temporary structures must not exceed the limits prescribed by law or MESCOM norms.
All vehicles used for events or processions must have valid registration certificates (RC), fitness certificates, insurance and Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates.
Violation: Violators will face action under applicable provisions of the BNS, 2023, and the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules.
7. Fire Safety and Emergency Measures
Organisers must provide adequate fire extinguishers, ambulances and first-aid kits. Flammable materials must not be placed near sources of fire.
The use of toxic dyes, banned chemicals and single-use plastics is strictly prohibited.
Violation: Breaches will attract action under applicable provisions of the BNS, 2023, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
8. Free Flow of Traffic and Emergency Access
Organisers must ensure the free movement of vehicles and pedestrians. Emergency routes must not be blocked, and parking must be arranged only in designated areas.
Violation: Violations will attract action under applicable provisions of the BNS, 2023, and the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules.
9. No Damage to Public or Private Property
No damage shall be caused to public or private property during the installation or removal of temporary structures or during processions.
Violation: Violators will face action under applicable provisions of the BNS, 2023, and the Karnataka Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.
10. Adherence to Event Timings and Police Directions
Complete details of the event, including the schedule, participants and contact details of volunteers, must be submitted in advance.
Events must strictly adhere to the timings specified in the permission letter, and all directions issued by the police must be followed.
Violation: Non-compliance will attract action under relevant provisions of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, and the BNS, 2023.
11. Zero Tolerance Towards Harassment, Eve-Teasing and Stalking
Organisers must ensure strict prevention of eve-teasing, stalking, voyeurism and sexual harassment during events and processions.
Violation: Action will be taken under applicable provisions of the BNS, 2023, including Sections 74, 75, 77 and 78.
12. Cleanliness and Banner Permissions
Banners and flex boards must not be displayed without the required approval. All materials must be removed after the event, and the venue and surrounding areas must be cleaned in coordination with Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC).
Violation: Breaches will attract action under the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, MCC Solid Waste Management (SWM) bylaws and other applicable laws.
13. Prohibition on Carrying Weapons
Carrying arms, sharp weapons or other dangerous objects is strictly prohibited during public celebrations.
Violation: Offenders will face action under the Arms Act, 1959, and other applicable laws.
14. Drone Use Only with Written Permission
The use of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is prohibited without prior written permission from the competent authority.
Violation: Unauthorised drone operations will attract action under the applicable provisions of the Drone Rules, 2021.
15. Regulation of the Use of Animals
The use of animals in processions or performances requires prior permission and must comply with animal welfare regulations.
Violation: Violators will face action under applicable provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
16. No Interference with Police or Official Inspections
Police personnel and authorised officials may inspect event venues at any time before, during or after an event.
Organisers must not obstruct or interfere with such inspections.
Violation: Any obstruction will attract action under Section 221 of the BNS, 2023, and other applicable laws.
17. Reporting Suspicious or Illegal Activities
Organisers and participants must immediately report any suspicious activity, false information or disruption to the nearest police station or by calling 112.
Violation: Failure to report or spreading false information will attract action under applicable provisions of the BNS, 2023.
Strict Compliance
The Mangaluru City Police have warned that non-compliance with any of the above conditions will invite strict legal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; Karnataka Police Act, 1963; Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Motor Vehicles Act and Rules; Information Technology Act, 2000; Juvenile Justice Act, 2015; Arms Act, 1959; Drone Rules, 2021; Explosives Act, 1884; and other applicable laws.
Organisers have been directed to ensure strict compliance with all conditions in the interest of public safety, peace and orderly conduct of the forthcoming festive celebrations.