India, Nov. 6 -- The Karnataka high court on Thursday declined to lift an interim stay on an October 18 state government order restricting unauthorised gatherings of over 10 people in public spaces such as roads, parks, and playgrounds.

The order came amid a tussle between the Congress-led government and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh over permissions for its annual route marches. It said the congregations cited in the order will be treated as an "unlawful assembly" punishable under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

On October 28, a single judge high court bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna stayed the order, observing that the government could not curtail peaceful assembly without legislative sanction and that such restrictions could not be justif...