BANGALORE: The State government told the High Court on Wednesday that it would clear 1.36 lakh acres of encroached government land by the end of 2015.
A division bench was hearing a petition, filed by Namma Bangalore foundation and Samaj Parivarthana Samudaya (SPS), alleging government inaction on encroachments.
The government submitted that it has come up with an action plan and district-level task forces have been set up under the deputy commissioners to remove encroachments. The state said monthly targets have been charted out and if they are met, around 1.36 lakh acres of government land would be freed of encroachment by the end of 2015.
It also said the task force and its in-charge officer would be held responsible if the target is not achieved.
According to government data, the total government land (revenue) in the state is around 62.25 lakh acres and 13.02 lakh acres are under encroachment.
Of this, 7.54 lakh acres are under dispute. Around 2.04 lakh acres of forest land too have been encroached, the cousel representing the government told the court.
Muthalik Granted Anticipatory Bail
The High Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to Sri Ram Sena chief Pramod Muthalik in connection with a case registered by the Basavanagudi police.
Muthalik was booked under Sections 153(A) and 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code and also under Section 125 of the Representation of People Act on the basis of a complaint filed by one Ajmal Khan. The complaint stated that Muthalik had accepted his involvement in the demolition of the Babri Masjid and had threatened to demolish another two masjids.
He was initially granted interim anticipatory bail by a local court but Khan challenged this. The bail was rejected, forcing Muthalik to move the High Court.