Land for JD(S): HC asks petitioner to approach Palike

 The High Court of Karnataka on Monday disposed of a petition challenging the allotment of two acres of land near Jakkarayanakere in the City for construction of Janata Dal (Secular) party office, directing the petitioner to submit his representation to the BBMP commissioner. 

The petitioner has contended that the approval to allot the said tract of land, on a five-year lease for a meagre amount, to the party was only agreed in the BBMP council meeting and not by the standing committee members.  The petitioner had also contended that the land in question was allotted for constructing a hospital for the general public.

The counsel representing JD(S) party said that after BBMP allotted the land, the party began constructing the office in February and the work is in full swing.
It has spent Rs one crore on the construction. The counsel representing the Palike said that the local body has allotted the land to the party and is examining another application by the party for a parcel of land on lease for a period of 99 years.

Disposing of the petition, a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice S K Mukherjee and Justice B V Nagarathna directed the petitioner to approach the BBMP commissioner with his representation questioning the allotment.

Workshop for officials

The High Court has suggested Principal Secretary, Revenue, B Basavaraj to conduct a legal workshop for the Revenue officials to educate them about existing laws. 
While hearing a petition with regard to a revenue matter, Justice Ram Mohan Reddy orally directed the principal secretary to encourage people to go online for registration of land and property instead of the visiting the sub-registrar office.

There are many legal aspects which the officials in the Revenue department are not aware of. Because of which there is a high pendency of revenue matters in the court.