Bengaluru: Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Rajya Sabha member and key petitioner in the case related to lake encroachment in Bengaluru welcomed the National Green Tribunal verdict on Wednesday.
“The verdict by the National Green Tribunal is a beginning of a fight back by Bengaluru residents to reclaim the lake from the nexus between corrupt officials and builders. The verdict is a milestone for citizens to protect water table,” Mr. Chandrasekhar said.
“I am seeking permission to prosecute the officials, who were responsible for this kind of ecological disaster by allowing construction on the buffer zone of the lake. They should be punished to ensure that such incidents are not repeated,” he added.
“The citizens took the issue to the court and fought against the establishment to get their rights. In my opinion, this is a case where illegality had been established and citizens have shown that they can approach the court to fight injustice. I appeal to all NGOs, who complain about bad roads and poor drains, to focus on bigger issues too that are corroding the city. Public health, environment, lakes are getting destroyed and they need to the protected,” he concluded.
