High Court stays allotment of shops in commercial complex

Vegetable traders have complained to the High Court, claiming of irregularities in the allotment of the shops in the newly-constructed commercial complex at Gandhi Circle by the Gauribidnur Town Municipal Council.

Consequently, the High Court has issued a stay order on the distribution of all shops within the complex.

 Built at a cost of Rs two crore, the new complex contains as many as 65 shops.

Before the complex was built, the location had been used by vegetable sellers for their trade, some for as many as 35 years. In order to reserve the space for construction, the new owners of the building promised each seller a shop within the building, in the presence of the deputy commissioner and in writing, using Rs 50 bond paper.

Vegetable sellers allege that once the complex was completed, the owners reneged on their promises and failed to allot them any shops.

The seven traders who have approached the High Court - Krishnappa, G M Gopinath, Jayalakshmamma, Manjulamma, H R Ashwathappa, Rajanna and Ramappa - claim that owners instead allotted stores to businessmen with strong political connections and influential backgrounds.

In addition to taking their complaint to the High Court, the vegetable sellers have also informed the deputy commissioner of the situation.