Karnataka Human Rights Commission Inspects Kogilu Layout Demolition
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated he directed officials of GBA and Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Urban, to prepare of eligible beneficiaries to rehabilitate the displaced residents and said as many as 167 sheds were razed down in Kogilu Layout
BENGALURU: Members of Karnataka State Human Rights Commission, led by Chairman Sham Bhat, on Monday made a spot inspection of Kogilu Layout in Yelahanka of Bengaluru city to get firsthand information on the demolition of several sheds, leaving hundreds displaced.
The Greater Bengaluru Authority had initiated the demolition of sheds on December 20 to reclaim its 15-acre property, which was earlier allotted to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's Solid Waste Management department.
After his inspection and interaction with the displaced residents, Shyam Bhat said he will write a letter to the State Government after collecting documents from the displaced residents and from the officials concerned.
The demolition of sheds at the layout was opposed by Narasimha Murthy, a human rights activist and a resident of Bengaluru. He lodged a complaint with the SHRC, asking for their intervention to help displaced families be rehabilitated by the State Government.
In his petition to the State Human Rights Commission, Murthy urged the Commission to initiate action against concerned officials, alleging high-handed action giving no adequate time for the Kogilu Layout residents to respond to the notices served on them by the officials concerned.
“It is the duty of the State Government to provide alternative arrangements before initiating steps to take up demolition even if it is unauthorised,” said the petitioner Narasimha Murthy to Deccan Chronicle on Monday.
The petition from Murthy wanted the Commission to direct the state government to provide immediate interim compensation for the loss of movable and immovable properties of the displaced persons and initiate an inquiry against Chief Commissioner of Greater Bengaluru Authority Maheshwar Rao, Commissioner of Bengaluru North City Corporation Pommala Sunil Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited Karigowda, Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadish and Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru Seemanth Kumar Singh holding these officiers liable for the cost of restitution, to be recovered from their salaries/assets as per the Supreme Court judgment.
After a meeting, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated he directed officials of GBA and Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Urban, to prepare of eligible beneficiaries to rehabilitate the displaced residents and said as many as 167 sheds were razed down in Kogilu Layout.
