`Maintain status quo on Arkavathy Layout land'

`Maintain status quo on Arkavathy Layout land'

The Hindu

The landowners have alleged discrimination during the acquisition proceedings

Bangalore: The much-jinxed issue of Arkavathy Layout in Bangalore is back in the court with the Karnataka High Court on Monday ordering maintaining of status quo in respect of those land in which discrimination was alleged during the acquisition proceedings.

Justice Manjula Chellur, who heard a batch of petitions in this regard, also issued notice to the State Government, Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and other respondents and adjourned hearing by two weeks.

Several landowners had moved the High Court challenging the order of the Commissioner, BDA. The Division Bench of the High Court, while giving the go-ahead to the Arkavathy Layout in November 2005, stated that if the lands fall under the green belt area or if it is totally built up or belongs to charitable trusts, educational and religious institutions, nursery lands, factories or lands (similar to lands) which have not been notified prior to the preliminary notification, applications may be filed before the BDA seeking exclusion from acquisition.

Based on this directive, several landowners had filed applications before the BDA. The petitioners contended that the BDA Commissioner had issued an endorsement that their land does not fall under the above mentioned category.