HC orders new survey to find if temple is in middle of road

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: The High Court of Karnataka has directed the Deputy Commissioner, Bangalore Urban Disrict to depute Deputy Director of Land Records (DDLR) and a technical team of his choice to survey and submit a report on whether a temple in Bengaluru has encroached upon the road or whether the road was built around an existing temple.

The division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit were hearing a petition alleging that there was illegal encroachment of the road by Sri Sallapuradamma Temple, Hegganahalli Main Road, Sunkadakatte village, Bengaluru, which is in BBMP Ward No.71.

The road is said to have been blocked by the temple. After assessing the photograph, the HC said that the temple seems to be on the middle of the road.

The petition is from 2021 and the HC had on March 8, 2021 directed the BBMP to depute a officer to visit the site and file a report.

The HC in its order on Thursday, January 11, 2024, in its order noted that the affidavit by the BBMP was "ambiguous and an attempt is made to create some confusion."

The HC noted that "We are unable to comprehend the statement which in a way indicates the situation that the road is laid around the temple.

This report fails to show as to whether there is illegal encroachment and whether the temple is standing there since ages."

So to obtain a "clear report from an independent authority," the HC direced a new survey and adjourned the hearing to February 9, 2024.