The Karnataka High Court on Friday ordered issue of notices to the State government, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and others on a PIL petition which has alleged that Mantri Developers and ISKCON Charities have put up a multi-storey complex by encroaching on major stormwater drains (SWDs) in Doddakallasandra, Gubbalala Gate on Kanakapura Road.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice H.T. Narendra Prasad passed the order during the hearing of the petition filed by Karnataka Human Rights Panel-Environment Wing, a social service organisation.
The bench directed the BBMP and the Bangalore Development Authority to find out whether the constructions by the two organisations are lawful, and and take action as per the law in case they are found to be illegal.
It has been alleged in the petition that the encroachment of SWDs were made during the process of construction of the India Heritage Theme Park by ISKCON Charities, and Mantri Serenity apartment complex by Mantri Developers. The petitioner claimed that ‘illegal’ constructions have affected the flow of rain water into Subramanyapura lake.
Claiming that no action was taken on the petitioner’s representation about alleged encroachments to the tahsildar of Bengaluru South and other officers way back in August 2015, the petition sought a direction to the authorities to remove the structures put up by encroaching on the SWDs.
Further hearing was adjourned to August 2.
