The State government on Friday released the list of people and institutions who have allegedly encroached on its land as well as tank beds in and around Bengaluru. It mentions only 56 encroachments on 1,547 acres, which have been cleared by the government from August 12, 2014 to April 16, 2015.
Interestingly, it does not contain any big political names barring those of former MP H. T. Sangliana and former corporator Marimuthu. Mr. Sangliana has been accused of encroaching 14 acres while Ms. Marimuthu and 43 others have been charged with encroaching 100 acres.
The names of educational institutions such as Royal Concorde School run by a former MLA (4 acres), Purnaprajna School (one acre), Konanakunte Garden Education Society (7 acres and 0.05 guntas), Acharya Patashaale (33 acres) figure in the list. Apollo hospital too has been accused of encroaching 5 acres of government land.
Law Minister T. B. Jayachandra said criminal and civil cases would be filed against the encroachers. Pointing out that the Karnataka High Court has given permission for setting up a special court to try encroachment cases. All these cases, he said, would be transferred to the special court. So far, FIRs have been filed against 466 persons. The total value of recovered land is estimated to be around Rs. 25,843.28 crore.
Stating that demolition of commercial structures in layouts that have come up illegally on lake beds will continue, he said a special cell would be set up to help the affected residents. It would work under the rehabilitation wing of the State Revenue Department, he said. The affected persons would be asked to provide information as to whom they purchased the sites/properties from.
Meanwhile, sources said that about 10 acres each had been identified in the northern and southern parts of Bengaluru city to rehabilitate affected residents.
