HC flays BBMP for not allotting land

 It was issued in connection with the Palike’s non compliance of an order to allocate alternative land to a person whose property was taken away before the completion of the lease period.
 
The petitioner, Prakash, a businessman from Timber Yard layout had moved the High Court following the Palike's acquisition of the land leased to him by BBMP for a period of 30 years. The petitioner said that the land was acquired 10 years prior to the completion of the lease period, while the promise of new land has not been fulfiled.

The petitioner said that the court had directed to consider his request for alternative land way back in 1984. The directions were repeated again in 1994 and 2004. But when the orders just remained on papers due to the apathy of BBMP officials, he moved the High Court again.

Justice Ram Mohan Reddy who heard the matter had issued a show cause notice to BBMP on June 29, 2009. The BBMP officials submitted that they are yet to identify the land for the petition and said that they will comply with the order.

Justice Reddy had ordered a non-bailable warrant against the Commissioner, directing  him to be present before the Court on July 27, 2009.

Following the directions, Commissioner Bharat Lal Meena, who appeared before the Court said that he has just taken charge and could not look into the file. On the petitioner's case, he said that a site of 15x20 meter dimension has been identified at Bommanahalli, which will be given to the petitioner.

However this reply did not satisfy the court. Justice Reddy took the BBMP to task saying, "The matter is pending since several years. You have taken the show cause notice very lightly and have not even bothered about it. Do you think this is a K R Market ? BBMP seems to be in a slumber.”

Directing the officials to consider the request within two months, the Judge asked the Commissioner to sensitise the officials regarding legal matters.