PIL on conservation of Kempegowda’s fort: Karnataka HC issues notice to state government, ASI
Bengaluru: Karnataka High Court has issued notice to the state government as well as the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) after hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) related to the conservation of fort of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda situated in Magadi.
The petition, filed by Dr. HM Krishnamurthy of Magadi, who is the President of the Kempegowda Development Committee, was heard on Friday by the two-judge divisional bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Poonacha.
The bench issued notices to the Kannada and Culture Department, Bengaluru Archaeological Survey Department, Commissioner of the Archaeological Department, Deputy Director of the Department, Magadi Urban Development Authority, Magadi Town Development Council and Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner in relation to the fort conservation, before adjourning the petition.
Senior advocate DR Ravishankar, who represented the petitioner, said that the fort was built in the 17th century by Kempegowda, who was the chief commander in the army of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Commissioner of the Archaeological Department has submitted a report regarding the conservation of the fort. Pictures taken using drones have been presented to understand the condition of the fort. A 30-foot-tall wall has been constructed for conservation of the fort, but a part of the fort wall has been destroyed, nevertheless, the advocate added.
He also hit out at the government for not taking the initiative to work at conservation of the fort wall well before a PIL was filed by a citizen.
The petitioner has asked for conservation of Kempegowda’s fort, the moat of the fort and various sculptures, monuments and a temple constructed by Kempegowda in the fort. The moat has been closed in the east, west and north while in the south, the construction is half-closed by the K-Ship company for widening of the Bengaluru-Kunigal Road, he said.
The petitioner added that the Magadi TMC has permitted roadside vendors to set up stall on three of the moats, which has greatly affected the condition. Referring further to the stalls, Dr. Krishnamurthy has said that the vendors have defaced the wall by driving nails into it.
Maintenance of hygiene is a major problem in the fort, where people now not only answer nature’s calls but also consume liquor, he added.
Dr. Krishnamurthy urged the bench to issue notices to the concerned officials to take measures for the conservation of Kempegowda’s fort.
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Man stabbed by cousin brother over property dispute in Kalaburagi
Kalaburagi: A dispute over property turned deadly after a man killed his cousin brother using a knife in Kalaburagi’s Sedam taluk late on Friday night.
The deceased has been identified as Basavaraja Talawara (35), a resident of Hanganahalli village.
Basavaraja was involved in a dispute with his cousin, Ghulesh, over the division of family property for some time.
On Friday night, a clash broke out between the duo during which Ghulesh allegedly stabbed Basavaraja with a knife.Basavaraja died on the spot due to severe bleeding, while the accused Ghulesh is absconding, police said.
District Superintendent of Police Addur Srinivasalu, DySP Sangamanath Hiremath and CPI Mahadeva Diddimani visited the crime scene and conducted an investigation.
A complaint has been filed at the Malkheda police station in this regard.
