BMP partisan in Koramangala case: PIL

BMP partisan in Koramangala case: PIL
Deccan Herald

In a public interest litigation, the High Court of Karnataka was petitioned on Friday to order the constitution of a monitoring committee to oversee the action taken by the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike against building bye-law violators in Koramangala area of the City.

The petitioners, Vasudev and another, charged the BMP with picking and choosing buildings

violative of bye-laws, for demolition.

The petitioners prayed for a monitoring committee headed by retired judge of the Supreme Court or High Court and including two engineers from Central Public Works Department to oversee the action taken by the BMP.

The petitioners also sought the court’s direction to BMP to provide details of the officers who approved the plans and granted licences for construction of non-residential buildings in residential plots in Koramangala Extension.

The petitioners contended that all earlier directions issued by the court have not been complied with, particularly the direction to conduct a survey of the entire area and take action to restore the use of the properties for the designated purpose specified in Comprehensive Development Plan and zonal regulations.

The petitioners said that there was a general grievance that BMP officials had not acted fairly in selection of properties and persons for carrying out inspections as well as demolition. They alleged that the BMP followed pick and choose method to initiate action and largescale violators had been left untouched. They also contended that action had been initiated only in respect of a few small establishments and residential properties.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice D V Shylendra Kumar directed the BMP to file objections and adjourned the matter.

TRUE CONFESSION?

Bangalore, dhns: The High Court, in passing, asked the BMP whether any building had been constructed adhering to building by-laws in Koramangala. The BMP apprised the court that “no” building in the area had been constructed adhering to building by-laws. The court countered, asking the BMP the relevance of its Action Taken Report filed on Tuesday, with regard to the violators.