Legal cell rapped for not protecting Palike property

Stormy session: New corporators vocal about Bangalores civic problems

“You are simply doing a donkey’s job. I do not know whether you are dead or alive. You have grossly failed to protect Palike’s property,” an angry Mayor made fierce remarks against the legal cell. Another sharp comment came from the leader of Opposition in the Council, M Nagaraj, who preferred to call the legal call an ‘illegal cell’.

The attack began at the second half of the session with JP Park Corporator B R Nanjundappa drawing the attention of the House towards the inaction of the BBMP Legal Cell. He told the House that there was a building near Mattikere bus stand and the owners had sanctioned plans. Yet, the building was demolished.

The reason given was that some people had objected over the building in the High Court saying that it had encroached on BBMP land and the BBMP legal cell did not defend the Palike, which had sanctioned the plan and given authority to construct the building. The High Court had snubbed Palike over it and as a result the BBMP razed the building.
Hampinagara Corporator R Chandrashekaraiah said the BBMP legal cell cast a doom on nine families living near a flyover, which is close to Gaali Anjaneya Temple.

L Ramesh of Puttenahalli said some people encroached on Palike’s land in his ward and when the BBMP tried to clear the encroachment, people got stay from the High Court. “Seven years have passed but the Palike’s legal cell could not vacate the stay,” said Ramesh.

An even more grievous situation is that of Kempambudhi Lake whose 4.5 acres of land has been encroached upon. Highlighting this issue, Hanumanthanagar Corporator K Chandrashekar said the deputy commissioner has reported in the records that the 4.5 acres of land does not belong to the Palike’s lake and the legal cell attested the DC’s assertion.

“The legal cell is selling Bangalore. Please form a committee to look into the illegal activities done by the legal cell,” Chandrashekar demanded. Vasanth Nagar Corporator Katta Jagadish said some politicians are eyeing BBMP properties and the legal cell needs to be proactive in protecting land from such land sharks. Thimmananjaiah of Peenya Industrial Area ward and B V Ganesh of Chamarajpet demanded detailed information from the legal cell about the status of BBMP property.