Bengaluru: After dilly-dallying for months, the Bengaluru South Taluk officials ‘acquired’ a portion of 7.31 acres of government land in Ideal Homes Layout in Rajarajeshwari Nagar on Saturday.
While the Urban department and BBMP officials have indiscriminately razed properties in the past during demolition drives, the South Taluk officials have decided to take ‘fair and square’ action in recovering the properties built on government land.
According to South Tahshildar Shivakumar, 30 properties including 15 vacant plots and 10 residential buildings have been acquired on Saturday.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Shivakumar maintained that 75 properties have been developed on 7.31 acres ‘kharab’ land and owners of 45 properties had moved the High Court seeking relief, and hence, the department could not take action.
“The owners have pleaded that it is a BDA sanctioned layout and they were unaware of the illegalities when they bought the land. They have urged the court that they should not be punished for someone else’s mistake. The High Court has adjourned the hearing for four weeks. Once the final order is passed, we will act as per the directions of the court. If it’s in government’s favour, all the illegal buildings will be demolished immediately,” he said.
Among the 45 illegal properties, Kannada actor Darshan’s house and former minister Shamanur Shivashankrappa’s hospital too have been listed. Although the Taluk officials have hung up boards outside the 75 properties saying that they belong to the government, owners of these properties continue to residing in the buildings. So far, nobody has vacated or voluntarily demolished the buildings.
Legal wrangles
Although the BBMP had undertaken a drive to demolish illegal buildings on rajakaluves in all the eight zones, the case in Rajarajeshwari Nagar zone took a different turn when members of the Ideal Homes Cooperative Housing Society and plot owners moved the High Court seeking justice.
According to the Taluk officials, the founding members of Ideal Homes Cooperative Housing Society developed Ideal Homes Layout by illegally acquiring 7.31 acres 'kharab' land. With the help of some BDA officials, in 1989 they got sanctions for ‘kharab’ land too.
However, in 2003, public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the High Court alleging that the layout was formed on government land. The court directed the then Special Deputy Commissioner to take action.
