Lokayukta probes pollution in Yele Mallappa Chetty Lake

The Lokayukta has taken up a suo motu complaint on the alleged encroachment and release of industrial waste into the Yele Mallappa Chetty Lake in Seegehalli and Medahalli villages on Old Madras Road.

The lake is spread over 473.22 acres.

Based on an anonymous complaint, Lokayukta Justice P Vishwanath Shetty directed the ADGP-Lokayukta to ask the Lokayukta police to investigate the matter. Based on their report, Assistant Registrar (Legal Opinion), Lokayukta, placed a scrutiny note.

The Lokayukta has asked the officials to submit a report on whether the lake has been encroached by the public and polluted substance is dumped into the waterbody, leading to its contamination.

The notice has been issued to the BBMP commissioner; member secretary, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board; deputy commissioner (Bengaluru Urban); chairman, BWSSB; and chief executive officer of zilla panchayat (Bengaluru Urban). The officials have been given eight weeks' time to submit their report.

"It is needless to mention that in the meanwhile, the officers referred to above are required to instruct the concerned to stop throwing the polluted substance into the lake as reported by the Lokayukta police," Justice Shetty stated in the order.