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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Commercial LPG price hike 'direct blow' to common man: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the union government over the recent hike in commercial LPG cylinder prices, calling it a "direct blow" to the common man and warning that rising fuel and tax burdens were quietly fuelling inflation and hurting livelihoods.
In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said the increase would severely impact tea shops, darshinis (Quick service restaurants), small hotels, bakeries and street vendors, who depend heavily on commercial LPG, and accused the Centre of pursuing selective economic logic while burdening citizens.
"The recent hike in commercial LPG cylinder prices by about Rs 111 is a direct blow to the common man. Tea shops, small hotels, bakeries and street vendors depend on commercial LPG. When its price rises, food becomes costlier, livelihoods suffer and inflation quietly enters every household," Siddaramaiah said.
Responding to the Union government's explanation that the LPG price rise was due to an increase in Saudi Contract Prices (CP), the Chief Minister questioned the inconsistency in fuel pricing.
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"The Union Government now argues that LPG prices have increased due to the rise in Saudi Contract Prices (CP). If that is the logic, an important question must be answered honestly by Narendra Modi on why have petrol and diesel prices not been reduced when global crude oil prices have been consistently falling?" he asked.
Siddaramaiah pointed out that while Saudi CP may fluctuate, global crude oil prices, the primary input for petrol and diesel, have softened. "Yet petrol and diesel prices remain unchanged, burdening citizens while generating record revenues. This selective application of 'international price logic' raises serious concerns," he said.
The CM also flagged what he described as fiscal injustice towards states, alleging that Karnataka contributes far more to the national exchequer than it receives in return.
"Karnataka contributes 4.5 to 5 lakh crore every year to the national exchequer, but receives barely Rs 60,000 crore in return, often delayed. This is not cooperative federalism, it is fiscal imbalance," he claimed.
He further criticised the Centre over rising railway fares, additional cesses and surcharges outside the GST framework, and what he termed as the shifting of welfare responsibilities to states.
Referring to the VB-G RAM G Act, Siddaramaiah said states were now being forced to bear nearly 40 per cent of the cost, increasing their financial burden.
"India cannot be built by squeezing its workers, taxing its poor, and weakening its States. Economic governance must be rooted in fairness, transparency and compassion, not selective justifications," he said, adding "a strong nation respects its people, empowers its States, and ensures growth is shared fairly."
