Karnataka Proposes 3-Year Jail Term for Unauthorised Rallies on Public Property

The Karnataka government has proposed the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, which seeks to make prior official permission mandatory for private individuals and organisations conducting activities in public spaces.

Under the provisions of the draft legislation, holding events or gatherings without government approval would be treated as a cognisable and non-bailable offence. Individuals found violating the proposed law could face up to three years of imprisonment along with fines.

The draft bill stipulates that any activities carried out without prior authorisation could be classified as encroachment or the unauthorised use of public property. To enforce the measures, police officers not below the rank of sub-inspector may be empowered to arrest offenders without securing a warrant.

The proposed regulations are slated to apply to rallies, programmes, and various other organised activities conducted across government premises and public property throughout the state.

However, certain events are slated to be excluded from the strict permission requirements. The draft framework proposes specific exemptions for weddings, funerals, and activities related to education and employment, allowing these functions to proceed without the mandatory prior approval required for other public gatherings.