Withdraw site from MLA, HC directs Palike

The High Court on Tuesday directed the BBMP to withdraw the site measuring 10,000 sq feet belonging to MLA Roshan Baig.

Justice D V Shailendra Kumar issued the order following a petition filed by advocate A V Amarnath and others about how Danish Publication Private Limited belonging to Baig had purchased the site in February 2007, at a very low price.
 
“This land belongs to BBMP, but the government had recommended allotting the place to Baig. The Government does not have the authority to recommend any such allotments, this is reason enough for the bench to direct BBMP to take back the land,” said the bench verdict.

The site was allotted to Baig when Dharam Singh was the chief minister of the state.  
The petitioner had contended that the site which was worth more than Rs 10 crore was sold for only Rs 1.68 core.  When the Palike was approached in 2006 to allot the land to construct the Urdu community hall, the Palike had replied saying that the site belongs to it and will not be allotted to private persons.

However, the site was allotted to Baig.  As per the Palike’s notification of June 2, 2003, no site can be allotted to anybody without auctioning, but Palike sold the land to Roshan Baig at a very low price, alleged the petitioners.