BENGALURU: Whitefield residents have alleged that they are being harassed by the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of Whitefield Subdivision, Gururaj, after they complained against an AP-based builder for constructing illegal floors for commercial purposes in residential areas.
A resident, Usha Raghavan, said, “Few residents have been harassed by officials for complaint against alleged building by- law violations in the area, at Nallur Halli village of Hagadur ward in Mahadevapura,"
The matter was brought to the notice of officials six months ago. But, the engineer and team have issued notice to the complainants.” She said, “The AEE came with a team and gave notices under Sections 313 and 248 (1) and (2) (for building violation). I have been staying here for the last 25 years. Still, I got notice based on false complaints. The AEE did not show the same intent in acting against the violators in a genuine case.”
The issue escalated to KN Ramesh when he was the Zonal Commissioner, Mahadevapura, before BBMP was split. “The official termed the notice against me harassment and asked officials to close the file before he was shifted as commissioner to Bengaluru South City Corporation,” said Usha. AEE Gururaj was not available for comment.
Another resident from ECC Road, which has 15 houses in Whitefield in Hoodi, complained about a six-floor building that has come up with violations.
The officials, instead of taking action, sent notices against the four residents who complained about commercial buildings. They said they are being harassed by AEE and also planning department officials of Bengaluru East City Corporation.
“The IT belt residents will soon launch a campaign against bad governance and harassment and approach Rahul Gandhi and tell him we made a big mistake by electing your leaders,” said a senior citizen who received a notice. “Instead of taking action against illegal structures that have 100-200% visible violations, the officials are allowing the constructions to go on,” said Sandeep Anirudhan, a civic activist.