BBMP must undertake a fresh and systematic survey of unauthorised buildings/constructions in the city, said a division bench headed by chief justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka.
The high court on Monday declined to accept a report submitted by the civic agency.
The Palike indicated that it had identified 980 illegal buildings across eight zones in the city.
In the fresh survey to be conducted in a phased manner, BBMP will have to ascertain the approximate years of illegal construction and include buildings which are built without obtaining permission and those that deviated after obtaining approval.
‘Just a tall claim’
The court which perused the report observed that the figures quoted by the civic body were nothing but a ‘tall claim’. “It is a tall claim. Bengaluru is a big city. Nobody knows how the survey was conducted. It doesn’t mean that there are no other illegal structures, apart from what BBMP identified, at present,” the bench noted. BBMP has been told to indicate the timeline about the new survey before December 18, the next date of hearing.
‘Protect complainant’
The bench directed BBMP to ensure to protect the identity of a person who complains about illegal buildings and choses to remain anonymous. On shortage of funds and staff for the survey and demolition exercise, the court directed the state government to take necessary action within two months of submission of proposal.
On December 18, BBMP must inform the court about the complaints on illegal buildings that it has received in October and November along with details of action taken on them.