HC issues warrant to Palike chief

The Division Bench comprising Justices V G Sabhahit and Ravi Malimutt passed the order during the hearing of a case pertaining to allotment of sites at Kengeri. The Court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the commissioner.

The then BMP in 1986 had invited applications for allotment of 30x40 feet sites and the applicants deposited the money too. But in 2004, the Palike called for auctioning of the sites, including the ones already allotted. The government refused permission for auction and directed the Palike to return the allotted sites. However, the BBMP turned down the request of the allottees to return their sites.

The allottees approached the High Court in November 2010 and the Court directed the Palike to return the sites within two months. As the direction was not followed, the allottees moved a petition for contempt of court. The Court, during a hearing last month, directed the commissioner to be present in the court at the next date of hearing. The warrant was issued since the officer failed to appear before the court.

However, when contacted, Siddaiah said he had not received any notice from the Court.