Chandigarh district magistrate imposes Section 144 CrPC, bans gatherings after 12

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 20

Chandigarh’s district magistrate banned public gatherings after 12 am through an executive order on Friday—a development that comes days after Chandigarh administration finally lifted night curfew in the city as Covid cases waned.

A new order issued by District Magistrate Mandeep Brar said there had been complaints about the public nuisance caused by commercial establishments operating till late in the night. As a result, commercial establishments such as restaurants and dhabas, discos, bars, clubs, and roadside hawkers and vendors are banned from operating between 12 am and 4.30 am for two months.

The order does not apply to hospitals, chemist shops, and petrol pumps and comes into effect at 12 am on August 21 (tonight), and will remain in force until, and including, October 19, 2021.

“Any breach of this order would invite action under Section 188 (disobeying an order by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code,” the order said.