Karnataka High Court orders demolition of an entire apartment block in Peenya

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has directed the commissioner of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to submit a comprehensive plan for evicting residents and demolishing the entire Block 'A' of Platinum City, a residential apartment complex in Peenya.

This action aims to bring the development into compliance with applicable laws.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for December 11, as the BDA counsel informed that a tender for the demolition would be issued within two weeks, awarded within a week thereafter, and the results presented to the court.

Background

The court is hearing a 2013 petition filed by Sheriff Constructions, which sought the issuance of Occupancy Certificates for Blocks A to G. During proceedings, several violations, including the absence of sanctioned and development plans, were highlighted.

In an earlier hearing, the petitioner was allowed to demolish the top portion of Block 'A' in an attempt to salvage the remaining structure. However, in an affidavit submitted on November 25, 2024, the petitioner stated that removing the 15th-floor slab and beam would render the entire structure and its neighbouring buildings structurally unstable, based on the opinion of a structural consultant.

Court’s observations

"I am unable to accept the said affidavit filed by the petitioner. This court, on several occasions, had granted several adjournments to the petitioner to rectify the defects and violations, which have been pointed out by the BDA. This being, in order to try and save the building/s from demolition if the petitioner were to satisfy the requirements under law,” Justice Suraj Govindaraj said.

The court further said, “The petitioner now has come forward by categorically stating that the top portion cannot be demolished due to structural instability for the whole structure, and it is very clear that the rest of the building cannot be saved. Therefore, the entire building would need to be demolished."