HC refuses to stay demolition of illegal college building

The Karnataka High Court’s Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and justice B V Nagarathna on Thursday ordered the demolition of a private educational  building in violation of building bye-laws.

The bench directed the institute to comply with an earlier court order and start demolishing the unauthorised part of the building by Friday morning.

The appeal was made by Thirumala Education Trust (TET) at Chikka Adugodi against the demolition of a five-storeyed structure, which was originally made by Justice Ram Mohan Reddy in the last week of September.

TET sought a stay on the demolition order for a couple of months, arguing that it would not occupy unauthorised portions of the building. When the court refused, the appellant sought time till Dasara festival so that students who are appearing for examinations are not be disturbed.

‘No love for law’

The Bench lashed out at the appellants and said: “You have no love for law. You have no love for children. If we stay the order it we will be sending a wrong message to the public.”

“Let the public around be aware that they cannot get away with such things. People approach the court when authorities don’t act. You have come here when the authority has acted stating that you do not want them to act,” said the court.

When the bench asked whether TET would demolish the structure on their own or authorities should be entrusted with the job, the appellants said they preferred the former.

The bench then directed the educational institute to start demolishing the structure from 8 am on Friday and complete the same within 10 days and report back to the court.