Wilful construction despite notification: BDA

Wilful construction despite notification: BDA
Vijay Times

Bangalore: The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) on Thursday told the Karnataka High Court that some people had “wilfully” constructed houses on land meant for formation of Arkavathy layout despite being aware of a notification that Government would be acquiring the land.
The BDA’s submission before Justice Gopal Gowda came while replying to a petition filed by over 400 persons challenging the Feb 23, 2004 notification which proposed to acquire land for the formation of the layout.

It was further submitted that a major chunk of land on the proposed layout was government owned.

Counsel for the BDA stated that the proposed layout is the biggest in the City.

It was also submitted that the contentions advanced by the petitioner that the BDA has no authority to acquire land outside the City limits is not sustainable in law.

A spate of petitions have been filed in the High Court challenging the notification dated Feb 23 2004.

The petitioners contended that they had built houses on the land and if the same is demolished they will be put to hardship.
They also stated that the land was acquired on the basis of records and none of the officers had inspected the spot personally.