Building byelaw violations: High Court seeks details of cases

The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday directed the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to file a report on the steps taken to clear the huge backlog of cases pertaining to violation of building byelaws.

During the hearing of a petition filed by Malleswaram Residents’ Welfare Association on rampant violation of building byelaws in the City, a division bench comprising D H Waghela and Justice B V Nagarathna directed the Palike to take effective steps in ensuring disposal of the pending cases.

The bench said that according to the amicus curiae several cases were pending before various courts since the engineers concerned had not submitted the required documents.

“The legal cell has been constituted to coordinate in all the matters pertaining to cases. If the records are not submitted and the matters are pending, it shows the total lack of transparency. We hope that system will be in place by ensuring that the engineers submit the documents and the matters are disposed of,” the bench said.

Earlier the amicus curiae, Shashi Kiran Shetty submitted that the civic agency had not taken any action to dispose of more than 1,200 pending civil suits.

“Prima facie these are cases of dereliction of duty. BBMP seems to be not fighting as a party, but has colluded with people,” Chief Justice Waghela observed.

The counsel for the Palike submitted that the legal cell was acting like a post office and sought three months’ time to clear the backlog. The chief justice, however, refused to grant time.

“The whole thing has to be restructured and revamped. If certain officers are identified for their lethargic attitude, such officers should be chargesheeted. If necessary, we will even appoint an inquiry committee,” he said.