BENGALURU: The High Court has dropped contempt proceedings against BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad after he submitted compliance report on its direction to investigate the allegations of encroachment by two major commercial structures.
While disposing of a public interest litigation filed by Samarpana socio-cultural organisation seeking directions to the BBMP to demolish two malls and a star hotel, a division bench had observed in August last year that the matter required an investigation.
The organisation had alleged that Orion Mall was built on a storm water drain and B kharab land and the ETA Mall at Binnypet was constructed on a park. It also alleged that JW Marriot Hotel was constructed on a storm water drain near UB City.
The petitioner was asked to submit a representation on the matter to the BBMP commissioner who should dispose it of “within three months”.
The organisation filed a contempt petition saying the commissioner did not comply with the court direction within the stipulated time. However, in his compliance report, the commissioner said Orion Mall was built where Kirloskar company was functioning.
While survey records do not show the land where ETA Mall stands was reserved for park, Marriot Hotel building does not block flow of drain water, he said in his report. Taking note of the report, a division bench headed by Justice Ashok B Hinchigeri dropped the contempt proceedings.
Corporator moves HC for bail
In view of the Lokayukta Special Court recently rejecting his bail application, G Krishnamurthy, corporator of Rajajinagar Ward, has now moved the High Court for bail.
Hearing the bail plea on Tuesday, Justice Rathnakala issued a notice to the ACB and asked it to file objections, before adjourning the matter for two weeks. Krishnamurthy and two BBMP engineers were caught by the ACB while allegedly receiving `15 lakh as bribe from a contractor on March 31.
Acting on a complaint from the contractor, ACB officials trapped Krishnamurthy at his residence along with the two engineers on March 31. The contractor was entrusted with the renovation of the RTO complex at Rajajinagar at a cost of `2.5 crore by BBMP. He completed the work by 2015 end.
The accussed corporator and the engineers did not release the bill more than a year after completing the work, demanding a bribe of `38.5 lakh from the contractor.