Govt assures HC: Will not turn grazing land into a burial ground

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The High Court has disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) after accepting the statement of the state government that it will not use a grazing land in Ramanagara for the purpose of a burial ground. Ramamurthy and Mudugereyappa from Motagondanahalli, Magadi taluk, Ramangara, approached the High Court with a PIL.

Their grouse was that ‘inspite of having other Government lands available, the respondent-State Government is proposing to reserve the land in Sy.No.23 measuring 3 acres 23 guntas situated at Motagondahalli, Solur Hobli, for a burial ground on a recommendation of the Gram Panchayat.”

The petitioners claimed that the land in question was utilized for grazing purposes for the past many years and using this land for burial ground may cause difficulties to the majority of farmers who graze their cattle here. After issuing a notice, the Government submitted its response. It said that it has found an alternate land after receiving objections.

The HC bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Ashok S Kinagi noted, “The learned Additional Government Advocate, on instructions, submits before this Court that it was only a proposal under consideration of the authority on recommendation of the Panchayat, but after receiving the objections, the District Authorities, particularly, respondent No.2 – Deputy Commissioner, on receipt of the objections, thought it fit to select another Government land for the purpose of burial ground and the land in Sy.No.23 would not be utilized for burial ground.”

“Accepting this statement, we are of the opinion that the grievance raised in the petition, no longer survives. Accordingly, the petition – public interest litigation is disposed of.”