Bangalore Palace: SC defers hearing to Feb. 13

Bangalore Palace: SC defers hearing to Feb. 13
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: The Supreme Court on Monday deferred to February 13 the hearing of a case pertaining to acquisition of Bangalore Palace.
Wadiyar, who has been fighting a legal battle for possession of the palace for the past 13 years, sought permission to hold all types of events on a commercial basis on the premises till a verdict is given.
The Karnataka government’s stand has been that it wants to acquire the palace to preserve it as a heritage site, develop a botanical garden and lung space for the public.
The government had urged the court to restrain Wadiyar from renting out the palace for a hotel and the premises for holding exhibitions and other commercial activities. The HC had upheld the government’s decision to acquire the palace.
Appearing for Wadiyar, senior advocate Arun Jaitley wanted to know how the government could acquire the property by paying Rs 9 crore and that too by adjusting the amount against some income-tax claimed to be outstanding against Wadiyar. Wadiyar’s stand has been all erstwhile maharajas have converted their properties into heritage hotels and are earning good returns from these.