BENGALURU: Recording the submission of the state government that no rehabilitation can be permitted at Kogilu Layout, given that toxic effluent is stored in the land, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday said that the court is prima facie persuaded to accept that in-situ rehabilitation in the given facts may not be feasible.
Appointing lawyer Vidyulatha BV as amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter, a division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Poonacha sought a report from the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority on temporary rehabilitation provided to the residents of Kogilu Layout, whose houses were demolished by the GBA, to verify the same as the petitioner’s counsel alleged that the rehabilitation centres were found locked when the residents visited and there are 800 affected persons.
The court passed the order after hearing the public interest litigation filed by Zaiba Tabassum, Rehana and Areefa Begaum, who were among the residents evicted from Fakir and Wasim Colonies.
On the last date of hearing, the state government informed the high court that around 15 residents of demolished houses in Kogilu Layout have come to the Rehabilitation Centre, utilised the amenities, had food and again left the Rehabilitation Centre back to the encroached sites.
Evicted people have put up temporary sheds and are continuing to reside on the government land. Meanwhile, the state government reiterated that the 2013 satellite images show that no one was residing in Fakir and Wasim Colonies.
Disputing the state’s claim that only 167 families were affected due to the demolition, the counsel for the petitioners contended that over 800 people were affected and that they are required to be rehabilitated. The rehabilitation centres established by the state were found locked when they visited. The displaced people lacked food and shelter, which is a violation of fundamental rights, the counsel argued.
Meanwhile, the Advocate General K Shashikiran Shetty filed the affidavit detailing the facilities, including food and accommodation, provided to the affected residents.