HC dismisses petition against M Krishnappa in housing case

The High Court of Karnataka recently dismissed a petition filed by land owners of Vajarahalli who had moved the court contending that they have neither received any compensation nor has the government acquired their land.

The land that was to be acquired had Housing Minister M Krishnappa holding power of attorney (POA). He had entered into an agreement with the Bangalore Co-operative Housing Society Ltd. The petitioners had contended that they had not executed any POA with regard to the land that had to be acquired and alleged that Krishnappa, the ‘middleman’, played fraud.

Justice Ashok B Hinchigeri, dismissing the petitioners’ contentions, said that it cannot be believed that no POA was ever executed in favour of Krishnappa since the petitioner copy had details stating that the power of attorney was given only after declaration was issued and not earlier.
The court said: “The possibility of Krishnappa taking the petitioners for a ride cannot be ruled out. It could have been examined at some length, if the petitioners were only to arraign Krishnappa as one of the respondents,” the court said.