The High Court on Thursday ordered notice to former housing minister Sagir Ahmed seeking his explanation for his adverse directions to drop acquisition of certain lands in Chikkajala, Bangalore North taluk, for an approved Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) project.

The notice was ordered by Justice N Kumar, dealing with petitions by S Udayshankar and some other land owners, who have challenged acquisition of their lands for a KHB project on the ground of delay at various stages. During the hearing the Court observed that KHB had recommended the government on March 1, 2004 to drop acquisition proceedings as per its resolution, which in turn was based on the directions issued by the minister. However, the government had rejected the recommendation and ordered further proceedings in August 2004.

The judge opined that the minister had issued directions contrary to the object with which the Housing Board Act was passed and sought to know the reasons for disowning a sanctioned housing scheme at such a stage. The case was posted to October 8, 2007.

The judge commented : “This is not the way people holding high offices, who are expected to protect public interest should conduct themselves. Unless the matters are brought to Court where records are made available, the common man will never know what transpires in that majestic building, which actions are against their interest. Court also cannot be a silent spectator to these illegal activities and simply pass orders setting aside the orders or remanding the matter to the government.’’

Bail granted
The Court  granted bail to eight BJP workers of Anekal, accused of causing clashes and setting fire to certain houses in Anekal recently. The eight BJP workers including Mallikarjuna, Prakasha and Gangadhara, who have filed nominations for the upcoming elections of Anekal Town Municipal Council, were arrested in Anekal on July 22.
Proceedings  stayed
The Court stayed further proceedings on the criminal cases registered against two Child Welfare Committee (CWC) members of Mangalore. Following the petitions by CWC members Geo D’Silva and Reni Peter D’Souza of Mangalore, challenging the criminal cases of tresspass registered against them, Justice K Ramanna passed an interim order staying the proceedings for a period of 4 weeks. The complainants have accused the petitioners of trespassing their houses at Koppalakadu and Aluchil Arkula villages.