Kogilu demolition: PIL filed in High Court challenging government’s move to demolish houses
Bengaluru: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the High Court questioning the state government’s action of demolishing around 300 houses in the Kogilu locality near Yelahanka, citing them as illegal constructions.
The petition has been filed by Kogilu residents Jaiba Tabassum, Rehana and Areef Begum. The state government, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the Bengaluru Police Commissioner and the Bengaluru North taluk Tahsildar have been named as respondents. The petition is yet to be listed for hearing before the court.
In the plea, the petitioners alleged that houses in Wasim and Fakir colonies were demolished without issuing any prior notice and without hearing the residents. It has been stated that many of the affected residents belong to the Muslim community and that several families possess documents related to their houses.
The petition pointed out that BBMP officials are required to issue a show-cause notice and grant at least 15 days’ time before clearing alleged encroachments. The Supreme Court has also laid down guidelines stating that houses should not be demolished using bulldozers without issuing written notice and providing an opportunity for hearing. The petition alleged that these directions were violated and that the demolitions were carried out in complete disregard of Supreme Court orders.
It has further been stated that the demolition led to the destruction of uniforms, textbooks and hall tickets belonging to hundreds of students studying in nearby government schools, severely affecting their education and future.
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The petitioners have sought directions to provide rehabilitation or alternative housing within a five-kilometre radius for all displaced residents of Fakir and Wasim colonies after conducting a proper survey. They have also demanded compensation for the houses that were demolished after years of effort, as well as directions to provide appropriate medical treatment to those injured during the eviction drive.
The plea has also raised concerns about the risk of infectious diseases among people rendered homeless and has sought directions to set up temporary medical camps at the site to ensure immediate access to healthcare. It has requested the authorities to issue duplicate hall tickets to students whose original documents were destroyed, allowing them to appear for examinations, and to provide affected students with textbooks, notebooks, study materials and uniforms.
Seeking action under contempt of court, the petition has urged the High Court to initiate proceedings against officials responsible for the demolitions for violating Supreme Court guidelines. It has further sought to fix personal liability on officials for the loss and damage caused, and to ensure immediate supply of clean drinking water and nutritious food to affected persons, including women, the elderly and persons with disabilities. The petition also called for the construction of separate temporary toilets for men and women, and adequate security arrangements for women and children in the affected area.
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School headmaster arrested for beating student
Sultanpur (UP) (PTI): Police arrested a primary school headmaster on Saturday for allegedly beating a Class 1 student with a stick.
The incident took place on Friday at a primary school in Tikaria Pure Hela village under the Kudwar police station area in Sultanpur, police said.
The victim, identified as Shivansh, is a Class 1 student at the school.
According to the student, a dispute arose between him and his classmate Saurabh.
As the argument escalated, Saurabh called his mother to the school. Based on her complaint, the headmaster allegedly beat Shivansh with a stick in the afternoon, the student said.
Shivansh's father, Vikas Sharma, resides in Lucknow, and the child is currently living with his maternal grandparents in Tikaria village for his studies.
Circle Officer (City) Saurabh Samant said police registered a case against the accused headmaster following a complaint. "A case was lodged, and the accused has been arrested. Further legal proceedings are underway," he said.
