What's the state doing, asks HC?

The State Vs the court
KORAMANGALA CASE
Vijay Times

Bangalore: Advocate General, B T Parthasarathy told the Karnataka High Court that if the peititioners in the Koramangala case are allowed to back out, it would give the impression that the State has failed to protect them, which would give Bangalore a very bad name.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice N K Sodhi and Justice N Kumar , however , questioned the AG as to what the State was doing all this while.

The AG made the submissions after the petitioners had filed an application seeking to withdraw from the case claiming that they were being treated in a hostile manner by the residents of Koramangala ever since the Banagalore City Corporation commenced its demolition drive. T aking strong exception to this application, the AG said, "If they are permitted to withdraw , it will send wrong signals. It gives the impression that the government has failed to protect them. Bangalore is a key city on the world map and such incidents would only give it a bad name worldwide." Bench: What were you doing all these days? AG: No complaint has been received. If they tell us, we shall surely protect them. Bench: Why has the demolition stopped for the past four days? Public have taken law into their hands. Steps ought to be taken at the grassroot level. AG: W e do not want a fear psychosis being created in the minds of the public. Bench: W e do not want any law and order problems. T ell your police officers to keep a strict vigil in the area. Court hall -1, where the Koramangala issue was being heard was packed with many residents of the area. They had assembled three hours in advance and wore an anxious look as the case was being argued. Some faces lit up when counsel for the petitioners submitted that the case could not go on as they were being targeted. However, there was a sigh of relief when the Bench said that the case will be alive even if the petitioners withdraw from the case.