HC notice to BBMP engineer over inaction

The high court issued a notice to an assistant executive engineer at the BBMP's Vijayanagar division challenging the latter's inaction despite court directions.

The court was hearing a civil contempt petition by Hemesh Desai, a resident of Vijayanagar, challenging non-compliance to the directions regarding the removal of encroachments.

The petitioner stated that the engineer, in his affidavit, had told the court earlier that once the Palike Bazaar was completed, the rooftop of the bazaar would be parking space for citizens' vehicles, and shall be completed before March.

The respondent stated that street vendors have been catering to the residents of Vijayanagar, selling fruits, vegetables and household items for about 10 years. The bazaar is being constructed to regulate street vendors and to ensure there is no encroachment along the Vijayanagar Main Road.

The court had considered the affidavit and had disposed of a previous petition. Despite so much time, the respondent has not taken any steps to remove encroachments on the footpath or the service road. The hearing was adjourned.