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High Court notice to Karnataka minister over illegal construction on Malathalli lake

The court issued the order on a PIL filed by Geetha Mishra alleging illegal construction and encroachment of lakes.

Published Feb 20, 2023 | 7:53 PM ⚊UpdatedFeb 20, 2023 | 7:53 PM

Malathalli lake. (Facebook)

The Karnataka High Court on Monday, 20 February, ordered the issuance of notice to state minister Muniratna and others over the issue of the alleged illegal construction of a Lord Shiva statue and a concrete structure in the form of an open-air theatre.

The court issued the order on a PIL filed by Geetha Mishra alleging illegal construction and encroachment of lakes. In an application filed in the PIL on Monday, the issue of the illegal construction was placed before the Court.

It is alleged that “with the help of the MLA of RR Nagar Assembly Constituency, Muniratna, M Govindaraju, BJP President of RR Nagar Assembly Constituency have sought permission to erect a 35 feet tall idol of Lord Shiva on 19/02/2023 on the occasion of Shivaratri and to conduct recreational and entertainment activities on the lake bed of Malathalli lake.”

Boundary of lake reduced

The application further stated that “Govindaraju in connivance with the BBMP and the Lake Development Authority CEO has constructed a huge circular concrete structure in the form of an open-air theatre.”

Advocate GR Mohan, representing the petitioner, informed the court that no work order or sanction plan was issued by any authority for this illegal structure. Due to the illegal construction and filling up of the lake with debris, the boundary is further reduced.

According to the petitioner, four acres and seven guntas of 72 acre 22 gunta lake is already encroached upon.

The application sought to make Muniratna Naidu, M Govindaraju, the Joint Commissioner, the Executive Engineer of RR Nagar, the Executive Engineer, BBMP, and other officers respondents in the case.

The high court allowed for issuing notices to all the proposed respondents.

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