HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) 'Letters to the Editor' in the newspapers, even in the age of electronic and social media, continue to be a fond mode and a forceful medium for common citizen to express views, opinions and grievances on the issues and affairs in the society. 'Letters to the Editor' is platform whereby a citizen enjoys right to expression of views, and thus participate in the current affairs.

(2.) In the first half of the year 2024, the State of Karnataka and its different parts particularly, the rural areas faced a serious threat of the disease 'dengue'. The disease was on spread with alarming speed amidst the disturbing reports coming from all quarters and the news indicating persons of even young age succumbing to the dengue in the City of Bengaluru, parts of the State of Karnataka, both in urban and rural areas. A Letter to the Editor written by a common citizen and published in the news Daily 'Deccan Herald' dtd. 9/7/2024 touched the conscience of the Court.

(3.) Taking cognizance and relying on the aforementioned Letter to the Editor, this Court invoked jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution and in exercise of suo motu powers directed that the aforesaid Letter to the Editor shall be treated as public interest litigation.