Bangalore, June 27: The Karnataka High Court today dismissed a criminal petition filed by Maate Mahadevi of the Basavadharma Peetha here, challenging the government order, forfeiting the controversial book "Basava Vachana Deepti". In her petition, Mahadevi submitted that she was the editor and publisher of the book, published on Aug 19, 1996, in dedication to the 12th century philosopher, Basavanna's 800th year of attaining 'eternity'.

According to the petitioner, the book contains collections of Basaveshwara's teachings and the Lingayats and Veerashaivas are followers of the latter. She also stated that some of the community people were hurt on the ground that certain statements were distorted.

The state government, in its earlier two notifications, had forfeited the book and it was challenged by the petitioner which were withdrawn on a memo filed by the government.

According to the petitioner, the state government, on July 24, 1998, passed an order under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code, forfeiting the book to the government. She contended that the notification was violative of the principles of natural justice and prayed for quashing the notification.

Bureau Report