JOIN USA Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and H G Ramesh directed that notices be issued to the government asking it to file the counter affidavit. The Bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Rashtrotthan Sankalp, an NGO, challenging the allotment of the said land to BDA in June, 2010.
The PIL maintained that the government was unable to effectively provide rehabilitation to alms-seekers as envisioned in the Karnataka Prohibition of Beggary Act, 1975.
In 1944, the Maharaja of Mysore had donated 320 acres for rehabilitating beggars. But 270 acres were allotted to BBMP, BDA, Leprosy Centre, BMRCL, BMTC, National Institute of Unani Medicine, etc for various purposes. Thus, only 60 acres would be left for the beggars, they pointed out. The petitioners sought an investigation into the matter.
Besides, they demanded that the Central Relief Committee should have 14-30 members.