Explain stand on parking at Cubbon Park: HC to State

Hearing a PIL filed by G K Govinda Rao, seeking to protect the greenery in Cubbon Park, the Division Bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar directed the State to make its stand clear within eight weeks.

During earlier hearing, the Bench headed by the Chief Justice had expressed its unhappiness over the Government’s proposal to set up a parking lot at the Cubbon Park.
“Don’t take any more land in Cubbon Park. We are unhappy about this. We will not allow that in the High Court also. Let us not waste Cubbon Park land. Money is not an issue. Cubbon Park is very big and important,” the Court had observed.

Suggesting to consider the place where currently there is a garage and family quarters at the LH, the Bench had directed to explore the possibility of having a mechanical car parking complex with 3-4 floors underground. “We have such a project in the High Court at Chandigarh. Get a good plan so that no interference is caused to the park’s green cover,” Chief Justice J S Khehar had said.

Windsor Manor case

The High Court upheld the Wakf Board’s decision to evict the Windsor Manor Sheraton Hotel from its current location in the City.

Hearing a plea by the hotel challenging the constitutional validity of the Karnataka Public Premises Act as well as proceedings initiated by competent authority (estate officer|) under the Act, Justice Nagmohan Das upheld the Wakf Board’s action stating it was in accordance with the law.

Disposing of the matter, Justice Nagmohan Das said: “The KPP Act empowers the Board to evict the lease holders. Proceedings which are pending before the competent authority under the Act shall be completed within four months’ time. Until then the petitioners shall continue to deposit a rent of Rs 6 lakh per month before the competent authority.”

In the early seventies, the land was leased to the hotel for 30 years for a monthly rent of Rs 5,000. The problem arose when the local managing committee got the lease period extended for another 60 years without the Board’s consent. The Board had cancelled the lease in 1981. Several suits were filed by the Windsor Manor and the case was also placed before the Supreme Court. With the apex court permitting eviction, the matter came up before the competent authority, which initiated proceedings for eviction.