JOIN USThe High Court on Thursday stayed the demolition of Sobha Garnet apartments at Iblur that started on Tuesday. The residents of the apartment had moved the High Court challenging the drive.
The district administration had carried out the drive stating that the building was encroaching upon the Iblur lake. As the residents raised their voice against the ‘arbitrary action’, the district administration gave them two days’ time to vacate the place. The petitioners, all occupants of 87 apartments, then moved the High Court challenging the demolition drive initiated by the tahsildar, Bangalore South taluk.
They contended that it was illegal as neither any hearing took place nor any notice was served. They argued that they had purchased the apartments by investing huge amount of money by availing themselves loans and that their right to life and liberty, including that of shelter, should be protected.
Approval
The petitioners submitted that the construction of the apartment has been approved by the competent authorities and it is impermissible for the respondents to take any contrary step in the matter, without looking into the earlier approvals and permissions granted 12 years ago, that too after the issue of occupancy certificate.
The petitioners stated that there was no encroachment on their part, but there is a road constructed on one acre six guntas of land after obtaining necessary permission.
Ajay Patil, the counsel for the petitioner, argued, “In addition to this, there is a park measuring three acres that stands between the apartment and the lake. Even the survey sketch of 2011 shows no encroachment.” Justice Jawad Rahim stayed the demolition process and the notice issued by the tahsildar.
Notice to Home dept
The High Court has ordered issuance of notice to the State Home department in connection with the murder of Father K T Thomas, who was hacked to death at the Malleswaram seminary in 2013.
The petitioners had moved the High Court seeking an inquiry into the matter by an independent agency like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), as they no longer have confidence in the State police.
Counsel for the petitioner, Siji Malayil, submitted that there is no headway in the investigations despite the fact that the crime occurred 11 months ago. No person has been apprehended in this connection,” he submitted. Justice S Abdul Nazeer ordered notice to the Home department, DG&IGP, Commissioner of Police and others.