ಕೋಗಿಲು ಬಡಾವಣೆ ನಿರಾಶ್ರಿತರ ದಾಖಲೆಗಳು ಕಾನೂನುಬದ್ಧವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ; ಹೈಕೋರ್ಟ್‌ಗೆ ಸರಕಾರದ ಮಾಹಿತಿ

According to Vartha Bharati, the Karnataka state government has informed the High Court that the documentation provided by residents of the Kogilu Layout in Yelahanka, who were displaced during a recent demolition drive, is not legally valid. The government's position was presented during a hearing before a division bench led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha.

The court is currently hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by residents Zaiba Tabassum, Rehana, and Arif Begum, who are seeking to have the demolition of their homes declared unconstitutional. The residents argue that the clearing of the Wasim and Fakir colonies was carried out without proper legal standing or adequate notice.

Representing the state government, Additional Advocate General Pratima Honnapura submitted formal objections to the petition. She stated that the displaced residents have not been utilizing the provided rehabilitation centers and have instead attempted to re-establish makeshift dwellings on the cleared land. Furthermore, the state argued that there is no official record or documentation from the District Commissioner’s office indicating that the land in question was ever legally granted to the residents.

Following the arguments, the High Court has directed the petitioners to produce their relevant documentation to substantiate their claims of legal residency. The case highlights ongoing tensions regarding land encroachment and urban development in the outskirts of Bengaluru, with the court expected to further examine the validity of the residents' claims in upcoming hearings.