Mantri's sister concern 'grabbed' railway, lake land

Hamara Shelters Pvt Ltd, which is part of Mantri Developers, has been accused of encroaching upon 21.5 guntas of land belonging to the South Western Railways (SWR) and 37 guntas from Jakkarayanakere lake area, according to a report submitted by the Assistant Director of Land Records (ADLR) to Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi.

Based on this report, Justice Adi on Friday directed revenue authorities to demarcate the boundaries of the land belonging to the railways, the Revenue Department and Hamara Shelters Pvt Ltd.

The railways had made a complaint to the Upa Lokayukta that Mantri Developers had encroached upon its property behind the Mantri Square Mall project in Malleswaram. The railways had stated that the ADLR withheld the request for a survey citing non-payment of just Rs 16.

The Upa Lokayukta then directed the ADLR to conduct the joint survey by issuing notice to all the interested parties, the BBMP, the Revenue Department, the Bengaluru Urban district administration, the railways and Hamara Shelters Pvt Ltd.

“The ADLR has stated that the joint survey began on June 10 in the presence of all the parties. But on the second day, Hamara Shelters did not appear for the survey, hence didn’t sign on the mahazar. As per the sketch and note submitted by the SDLR, Hamara Shelters has encroached upon land belonging to the railways and the lake area,” Justice Adi said.

The ADLR report confirmed encroachment of 13 guntas in survey number 17, and eight and a half guntas in survey number 42/2. Thus, a total of 21.5 guntas of land belonging to the railways was found encroached upon by the builder. The report also confirmed encroachment of 37 guntas within Hanumanthapura area in survey number 56, which is also known as Jakkarayanakere lake.

“The land belonging to the railways, encroached upon as per the ADLR report, is said to be vacant and the railways submitted that the boundary marks have to be re-fixed. As far as the lake area is concerned, the metro lane is drawn on the same and the Revenue department is required to take steps for protection of revenue land,” Justice Adi said.

The tahsildar of Bengaluru (North) has been directed to take steps as per the ADLR’s report and fix boundaries of the land of the railways, Hamara Shelters and the lake. The Upa Lokayukta has directed the officials to submit the action taken report by September 10, 2015.

Mantri Developers did not respond to repeated phone calls and an e-mail sent by this reporter.