HC slaps Rs 25,000 fine due to non compensation for land

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In a strong move made by the High Court of Karnataka, a fine of Rs. 25,000 is levied to the Bengaluru Development Authority, due to non compensation to the landowners on Friday evening.

The land which measures around 3 acres in Matadahalli, presently in RT Nagar was taken for suburban construction in 1972-73. The bench led by Chief Justice P.B Varle claimed that an compensation amount of Rs. 45,150 is still yet to be settled to the landowners after 50 years.

The infrastructure body failed to compensate it, despite a similar order issued in November last year. Later, a civil contempt application was filed, which was ignored.

The bench lashed out at the BDA, telling them to “act sensibly” and avoid repeating this in future.The bench also sympathised with the petitioners. “The petitioners have also faced financial problems to fight this legally.”

This is not the first the development body has come under the fire of the High court, According to a report March this year, the Karnataka HC lashed out at the BDA for denying TDR (transfer of development rights) certificates, which reflect a “'Reflects Mindset Of East India Company Era. In a December 2022 report, The High court slapped a fine of Rs. 5 lakh for going against a 2011 civil court order for interference of land possessions in Alahalli in Uttarahalli Hobli.