Bengaluru: Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has formed a two-member committee of retired district judges to inquire into the removal of alleged encroachments at Thanisandra village in Arkavathi Layout.In a Jan 29 public notice, BDA said it appointed the committee to examine whether due procedure was followed during the Jan 8 demolition drive in which around 22 ‘illegal structures’ on two acres were cleared.
Residents said they had bought the sites through agents, triggering fresh concerns over alleged illegal property transactions, similar to irregularities earlier flagged in the Kogilu Layout case.BDA officials earlier told TOI that nine godowns, a car garage, and a furniture shed were among the structures demolished on the land, notified as a BDA property.However, locals claimed that more than 60 structures were razed. The north Bengaluru area falls under the Byatarayanapura assembly constituency represented by revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda.BDA chairman NA Haris said: “Many occupants had only lease or rent agreements on BDA land that was grabbed by individuals who built sheds and rented them to poor families — they did not settle there on their own. While we sympathise with the poor and will work with the slum board to rehabilitate them, the core issue is land grabbers are misusing them to safeguard the encroached land. An inquiry will verify khata and other documents, and findings will be shared. About 20–30 families were present; we provided food, shelter and toilets, and they later moved out. Those who took an advance or rent must refund it. Our approach is to curb unauthorised developments while ensuring affected poor families are supported and given time to vacate before demolitions.”The inquiry will begin after Feb 20, said a member of the committee.“We will examine in detail the documents produced by each party, assess whether the action taken by BDA was legally correct, and then give our opinion. Claims such as non-issuance of notices before the demolition will be examined based on records. All parties were asked to submit relevant documents… The documents include proof of occupation, details on how the house was acquired, how long the person was staying there, and what records they possess,” the retired judge added.
