Stop demolition drive, orders HC

Razing structures without notice is against natural justice, claims petitioner

Hearing a PIL by P R Ramesh, former mayor, challenging the Section 228 D of KMC Act, which makes a provision to remove encroachments without notice, the division bench comprising Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice Anand Byra Reddy ordered notice to BBMP and stopped the demolition drive in BBMP limits. The petitioner, in his submission, has said that the people had constructed the houses after obtaining required sanctions from the BBMP. The petitioner further said that the residents have invested their hard earned money and have raised loans. The BBMP had ordered immediate demolition violating Article 21 of the Constitution.

Challenging the Section 228 D which provides powers to the BBMP Commissioner to demolish illegal structures without notice, the petitioner sought to quash the Act saying that it is against the natural justice. The petitioner had sought to restrain BBMP from demolishing at Ittamadu Layout and other places over the storm water drains. The bench, which heard the matter has ordered status quo.

Animal slaughter

The High Court disposed of a petition seeking prohibition of slaughter of animals in unlicenced premises in the City with a direction to ensure hygienic conditions of the same.

The petitioner B Krishna Bhat had moved the High Court seeking to prohibit slaughter of animals in unlicenced shops and roadsides stating that it is not fit for human consumption. The division bench comprising Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice Anand Byra Reddy by acknowledging the steps taken by the BBMP disposed the petition.
The BBMP had submitted that it has taken all preventive measures to curb slaughter houses and marketing meat without licence. The BBMP had said that the City had five slaughter houses, of which two are converted into residential premises and three have obtained licence. They further said that they have inspected all three abbatoirs and the conditions have been upto their satisfaction.

Shifting of turf club

The State government on Thursday submitted before the High Court that it will not precipitate the matter regarding shifting of Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) to Doddajala in Bangalore North.

Hearing a petition by M K Balakrishna and others, the division bench headed by Chief Justice P D Dinakaran recorded the submission by the State and directed it to file objections within two weeks. The petitioners have challenged the government order issued in July 27 allotting 87 acres of land to BTC in Doddajala village to shift the BTC to outskirts of Bangalore.

The petitioner submitted that shifting of BTC to Amanikere in Doddajala would effect the waterbody and sought direction to quash the notification regarding granting of land.