Clear footpaths of encroachments in 3 months, HC to BBMP

The High Court on Wednesday directed the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to remove all encroachments on footpaths in the City, repair, maintain them and construct new ones wherever necessary.

While hearing a PIL filed by Jennifer Pinto and Priya Rao seeking directions to clear footpaths to ensure the safety of pedestrians, a division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice H G Ramesh passed the order.

During the hearing, the bench observed that walking on the road has become extremely dangerous and the existing footpaths are either encroached upon or are not of sufficient width forcing pedestrians to walk on the roads.

This is also the reason why the number of accidents has increased, the court observed.

The bench asked why the BBMP is not able to take any steps to remove encroachments and asked its counsel what was stopping the civic agency from clearing the footpath of encroachments.

The BBMP counsel had submitted a report in February, 2013, that the civic agency would take necessary steps to make pedestrian-friendly footpaths.

However, the bench observed that these statements did not inspire the confidence of the court.

The bench passed the orders directing the BBMP to remove all kinds of obstacles on the footpaths within three months and submit a report. The court directed that the chief engineers of different zones will be responsible to remove the encroachments, repair, maintain and construct new ones.

If they fail to deliver, contempt proceedings will be initiated by them, the court said. The bench asked the BBMP to submit a report on September 8, 2014.

MLA summoned

The  High Court on Wednesday summoned Yelahanka MLA S R Vishwanath with regard to a petition seeking direction to conduct criminal proceedings against him.

Justice Ram Mohan Reddy had directed the MLA to appear before that court and kept the matter for hearing post noon.

The MLA’s advocate submitted that he was attending the Assembly session and cannot appear before the court.

The petitioner, V Shashidhar has contended that Vishwnath, being an employee of HAL, had contested Zilla Panchayat election and was elected a member.

During his tenure as member from 2000-2005, he remained an employee of HAL and was drawing a salary from the company.

A ZP member cannot remain an employee and that he had kept the people in dark about his employment in HAL. 

Shashidhar wanted to register a complaint against Vishwanath and visited Yelahanka police station in 2013, but the inspector refused to accept his complaint.

The bench has asked the inspector to appear before the court during the next hearing on Friday.