Petition in HC vs apartment complex coming up on ‘road’

The High Court of Karnataka has issued a notice to the BBMP commissioner on a PIL petition against the development of a piece of land said to belong to the civic body.

A division bench headed by acting Chief Justice L Narayana Swamy on Monday heard a petition filed by advocate N P Amrutesh for preventing the development of the 2,544-square foot plot which he claims is a "road". The property is located along KR Road.

The court also ordered notices to the chief engineer and the joint director of the town and country planning department and local BBMP officials.

Amrutesh contended that the 24 feet X 106 feet property belongs to the BBMP but a builder has connived with owners of nearby plots to grab it. The builder wants to construct a condominium of 90-odd apartments. According to the petitioner, the land is worth Rs 7.63 crore (going by the market rate of properties along KR Road). If the property is developed vertically, it will be valued at more than Rs 200 crore.