Bangalore 365

The Karnataka High Court on Monday said it would pass interim orders on petitions by residents of Bangalore and Mangalore who have filed public interest litigation (PIL) petitions challenging Sakrama — the scheme evolved by the State Government for regularising buildings with violations and illegal change in land use.

The court admitted a petition by the Federation of J.P. Nagar 6th and 7th Phase Residents’ Association and ordered issue of notices to the State, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and other respondents.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice Ashok B. Hinchigeri was hearing petitions by the federation and residents association of Mangalore.

While the residents’ association of Bangalore urged the court to reduce the penalty and extend the deadline for those wanting to opt for the scheme, the residents of Mangalore urged the court to come to the rescue of the law-abiding citizens and quash the scheme.

Senior counsel and former Advocate-General A.N. Jayaram, who appeared on behalf of the Federation of J.P. Nagar 7th and 8th Phase Residents Association, said it represented over 1.6 lakh people. He argued that the deadline for the scheme should be extended as the time for the people to accept it was too short.

Another senior counsel M.R. Naik, who represented residents of Mangalore, said the scheme would only help the rich and those who had violated the law with impunity. He said it would not help the common man.

The Bench said this was one of the very few cases when all the parties — the State, BBMP and even the petitioners want an interim order. Admitting the petition and ordering issue of notices, the Bench posted the case for Tuesday. Source: Hindu

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