A day after GT Mall in Magadi Road, located in Bengaluru South, allegedly denied a farmer from entering as he was wearing a dhoti, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) South Zone division sealed the mall over the pending tax dues worth Rs 1.78 crores.
The BBMP South Zone Commissioner Vinoth Priya said: "The mall authorities failed to pay the property tax for the year 2023-2024 and hence we are initiating action like sealing down, reminder notices were also served to pay the tax dues."
BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath also has given instructions to seal down the mall.
Mall can be shut for 7 days under law: Minister
According to BBMP revenue officials, as per Section 156 of BBMP Act, 2020, and circular dated 6/12/2023, GT World Mall’s business licence has been suspended and the property has been sealed for non-payment of outstanding property taxes.
As per the demand notice sent by the South Zone Revenue Office to the mall on June 10, to settle dues under One Time Settlement scheme, the mall was supposed to pay Rs 3,56,47,020. The amount includes property tax, interests, solid waste management cess and penalty. As the authorities failed, the mall was sealed.
The action against GT World Mall was initiated after it allegedly denied entry to dhoti- clad Fakirappa, who went there along with his wife and son to watch a movie on Tuesday evening. The issue was discussed in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday and the state government is contemplating ordering the mall’s closure for seven days.
Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh told the Assembly that the mall can be shut for seven days under law for its action against the farmer.
Raising the issue, Speaker UT Khader said, “Panche” is part of our culture. The action of the mall’s security personnel against the farmer should be condemned. The government should take stern action and it should be a lesson for all malls,’’ he said.