HC quashes land acquisition notification

Bangalore, Feb 22 (PTI) Quashing a notification acquiring79 acres of land two decades ago in favour of a privatehousing cooperative society, Karnataka government todayordered initiation of contempt proceedings against the stategovernment.

"The acquisition is not for public purpose but acolourable exercise of power in order to facilitate a houseSociety which consists of bogus members as is held by GVK Raocommittee report appointed by the High Hourt," Justice D VShylendrakumar ruled in his order.

The judge also imposed Rs 40,000 cost on government payableto four petitioners who had challenged the acquisition oftheir land.

The petitioners Kempaiah, Nanjundaiah, Hanumaiah andChandra, all residents of Jarakabande Kaval, had moved theHigh Court challenging the acquisition of 79 acres of land inJarakabandekaval in Yeshwanthpur hobli, Nelagadarahalli andLaggere, for the Karnataka Gruha Nirmana Sahakara SanghaLimited (KGNSSL) in 1988.

The judge said the Society has not been able to furnishdetails of site distributed by it to its members. "Inacquisition of these lands, middle men are also involvedand certain amount was also agreed to be paid to the middlemen by the Society", the judge said.

The court also said the documents were fabricated andproduced before the court in order to sustain the acquistionof land.

"In view of all these illegalities, the entire acquisitionproceedings are vitiated and therefore the entire acquisitionnotification and all further proceedings are quashed", thejudge said.

The petitioners submitted that the High Court-appointedcommittee headed by former Additional Registrar of Co-opSocieties to look into bogus societies has named therespondent Society for indulging in several allegedillegalities.

They also stated the Society has indulged in real estatebusiness by involving middlemen."The report has also indictedthe Society for it various irregularities and has termed themas serious and grave", the petitioners submitted.