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MANGALURU: Following reports of a wedding being conducted on a grand scale at the Mahathobhara Shree Mangaladevi temple in Mangaluru, in violation of the safety protocol, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has sought a report from the Hindu religious institutions and charitable endowment department.

Although the Swayamwara Mantapa on the premises of the temple had served as the venue for three other wedding ceremonies, at each of which there were only a limited number of guests in attendance, it was the fourth, wherein the bride is reportedly the daughter of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) nominated corporator, which triggered outrage among the citizenry.

In addition to the 40 cars that were reportedly parked outside the temple, guests are believed to have arrived at the wedding premise in mini-buses. On being intimated about the event, Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Dr KV Rajendra sent a team to the temple to ascertain the reported breach of safety protocol.

“Wedding ceremonies can still be hosted at home, but with not more than 25 people in attendance. But these ceremonies were held at a public place in the heart of Mangaluru. The irresponsible behaviour of the temple management is to be regretted. An FIR will be filed,” Rajendra told TOI.

Incidentally, the temple falls under the purview of the ward that is represented by Mangaluru mayor Premanand Shetty.

Assistant commissioner Madan Mohan, who visited the temple along with a team of other officials, said, “A preliminary investigation shows that permission was obtained to conduct four weddings, all of which were to be held around the same time. We will obtain a complete report on the event from the endowment department, and a case will be filed under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, and the Disaster Management Act.”

Managing trustee of the temple Ramanath Hegde said that the families of the bride and groom had obtained MCC’s consent to hold the weddings.

An employee with the temple management said that a specific window of time was allotted to hold the four ceremonies.

Mangaluru deputy commissioner of police Hariram Shankar said that a case had been booked against the MCC health officials, who issued permission to conduct four wedding ceremonies at the same place. “We have also booked the temple authorities, and the wedding parties,” he said.