Residents of Koramangala were shocked and appalled when three residents of 3rd block who had been at the forefront of the movement against illegal commercialisation, received a notice from BBMP.
It stated that they were to produce their house plans to the BBMP office within three days, or else their homes would be deemed illegal. Residents were quick to denouce these actions by the BBMP as wholly arbitrary and a violation of a citizen’s fundamental right to protest against government action in accordance with law.
The alacrity with which BBMP has acted is in stark contrast to the lethargy shown by the same department in reacting to various complaints filed by RWAs against illegal commercial buildings in Koramangala.
8th main 3rd block Koramangala is a residential zone and is to be maintained as such as per the interim order of the High Court and the affidavits filed by the BDA and the Government of Karnataka.
Therefore when a ‘breakfast club’ opened on this stretch, residents objected and the trade licence was not granted by the local health officers in accordance with the orders of the High Court.
However when this commercial enterprise started operations it was found that a trade licence had been provided at the explicit recommendation of the BBMP Commissioner. One of the partners of the Club is the son of Mohandas Pai.
City Kemp had earlier carried the story highlighting the peculiar situation where the BBMP Commissioner, who is supposed to ensure that the laws of the land are followed, has himself chosen to recommend the case.
Residents of Koramangala have vowed to not be cowed down by the crude intimidation tactics against the citizens who had written letters against the ‘Breakfast Club’. On the contrary they have vowed to step up the battle.
The BBMP office claims that they issued notices at the behest of a certain gentleman who lives in ST Bed layout and who had filed RTIs asking for these plans. Upon further enquiry, it was found that he is the cousin of one of the partners of the ‘Breakfast Club.’ A targeted attack on an individual or individuals by the Government of any civilised society for expression of free speech is a violation of the principles laid down in the Constitution of India (Fundamental right to Constitutional remedies).
The residents have received BBMP notice under section 308 of KMC Act of 1976 asking for the building plan which they have constructed decades ago. However Section 308 of the KMC Act does not empower BBMP to ask for a building plan as per the legal experts. In this case it is null and void, they say.
Residents shocked by vindictive issue of notices by BBMP
