JOIN US A fresh complaint was filed in the Special Lokayukta Court on Monday against Health Minister Aravind Limbavali, IAS officer Bharat Lal Meena, DLF Homes, Suadela Constructions and others, for alleged irregularities and violations of the revised master plan to aid the construction of two apartment complexes.
The matter has been posted to October 31 for hearing. The complainants — N Nagaraju and his three children Maitra, Manu and Shahi — have accused Limbavali of helping builders construct residential complexes with more units by directing the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to widen a road in Begur village in Bangalore South taluk.
According to the complaint, DLF Homes, which was constructing an apartment complex in Begur, had obtained permission only for stilt plus four floors, but began construction of a building with 18 floors. The approach road was only 12 metres long, which meant DLF cannot receive permission for an 18-floor building.
The BBMP intended to widen the road to 18 metres in accordance with the revised master plan.
When the BBMP realised that the DLF had flouted norms, it sent a notice to the builder. Following this, the then -Higher Education Minister Aravind Limbavali, who was not connected to the issue, wrote to the executive engineer of the Palike directing him to widen the approach road to 24 metres.
The complainants stated that Limbavali had also written that the number of vehicles would increase after the construction of DLF apartments, which indicated he was well aware of the issue.
He had also mentioned in his letter that the villagers too had sought the widening of the road, a claim that was false, according to the complainants. A resolution was then passed by the BBMP on January 6, 2012, to widen the road to 24 metres.
“By this, the real advantage has gone to DLF Homes and Suadela Constructions. Their floor area ratio was increased because of the illegal widening the road, ultimately resulting in the increase of flats,” the complainants contended.
Meanwhile, Suadela Constructions also sought permission to construct 30 and more floors in 19 acres of land in complete violation of rules. The complainants pointed out that the Palike sanctioned the plan submitted by Suadela, even though they were not the landowners.
The complaint names BBMP administrator K M Shivakumar, Executive Engineer Lakshmeesh, DLF Homes Chairperson K P Singh, Managing Director T C Goyal, Sales Manager K Umesh, Kasthoori, Ravichandra H R, Anil K Hirani of Suadela Constructions and Legal Officer at Suadela, Kavana N A.