HC notice to Siddaiah on mobile towers

The High Court on Wednesday issued emergent notices to BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah on a contempt petition filed by residents of JP Nagar for not removing mobile towers on the terrace of a building.

 A Division Bench comprising Justice N K Patil and Justice C R Kumaraswamy passed the order on a petition filed by residents of JP Nagar alleging that the BBMP commissioner had not taken action as per the directions of the High Court.  
The High Court had directed the commissioner to consider the residents’ representation to remove the mobile tower.

The petitioner alleged that, installation of the tower caused health concerns due to continuous exposure of mobile signals and also caused signal jams.

Even after the court ordered the removal, and residents submitting several representations to the BBMP commissioner, no action was taken.

The High Court, on November 8, 2012, had given direction to the BBMP commissioner to consider the representation. Since no action was taken, the residents sought to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Siddaiah for willful disobedience of court order.

Petitioner fined

The High Court on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on a petitioner for submitting wrong affidavit before the court and wasting court’s time. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice B V Nagarathna fined the petitioner K G Govindaraju who had filed a PIL stating that the government is constructing economically weaker section (EWS) quarters on gomala land meant for grazing at Kannminikehalli in Kengeri.

But, during the hearing, the government advocate submitted that the said quarters was constructed on kharab land (waste land) and not gomala land.

The government advocate said government had taken decision to use kharab land which is of no use to construct houses for the poor.

Hearing the submission, Justice Waghela imposed the fine for filing false affidavit and wasting court’s time and dismissed the petition.