Urban DC takes possession of disputed ashram

 The Bengaluru Urban district administration on Saturday took Sadguru Sadananda Maharaj Seva Kendra, near the BDA head office in the City, into their control following a civil court order.

Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban District V Shankar took possession of the building spread in about 12,000 sq ft.

Sources said the Kendra started in 1983 after the Bangalore Development Authority leased out the property to the religious organisation for a period of 30 years. There was a tiff between the ashram authorities and the devotees  over the commercial use of the ashram building. The matter was taken to the court. The court ordered the DC to possession of the building.

The district officials have allowed the religious activities to continue as it is a centre of devotion for many.

Tension at Bellahalli

Tension prevailed for a while during an anti-encroachment drive at Bellahalli in Yelahanka hobli.

     The encroachers have built a shrine on a government land and have developed a burial ground too. The occupants did not have any documents to claim their rights over the 60 acres of land.

     The police evicted the encroachers, said sources.