Be present at hearing: HC to BBMP, officers

The high court directed former BBMP commissioner Manjunath Prasad and other officers to be present during the next hearing of a civil contempt petition.

A division bench comprising Justices Raghavendra Chauhan and H T Narendra Prasad was hearing the petition, which pertains to the setting up of an Indira Canteen in a public space.

The Bharat Ratna JRD Tata Nagar Residents Welfare Association has moved the court, saying the Palike had not followed the court orders.

The high court had on July 3, 2017, passed an order, stating that Indira Canteens should not be constructed in areas earmarked for parks and playgrounds.

Despite this, the BBMP had gone ahead with the construction of the canteen in an area identified for a park by the Bangalore Development Authority. The structure is near completion, the petition stated. It contended that the construction was in violation of Sections 6 and 8 of the Karnataka Parks and Playfields and Open Spaces (Preservation and Regulation ) Act, 1965.

The court adjourned the matter to June 20.