House bulldozed

• MDA razes 50×80 ft. house, reclaims 14 sites (40×60 ft.)
• Property worth Rs. 80 crore recovered after legal battle

Mysuru: Continuing its drive to clear encroachments on its properties, the Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) this morning demolished a large residential house and reclaimed land worth about Rs. 80 crore in Vijayanagar Fourth Stage, Second Phase Layout in city.

The operation came a day after the Authority reclaimed land worth Rs. 15 crore at Sharadadevinagar near Bogadi here.

The demolition drive covered about 5 acres and 14 guntas in the layout. The encroached property, valued at around Rs. 80 crore, included a 50 ft x 80 ft house and 14 sites measuring 40 ft x 60 ft each. The encroachers had continued to occupy the land despite losing their legal battles over its ownership.

The property is located in  Survey No. 118 of Basavanahalli village, Kasaba Hobli, Mysuru taluk. The MDA had earlier formed sites on the land.

Land acquired in 1994 According to a press release from MDA, the original owner, Devaki, had given a General Power of Attorney (GPA) to M.B. Ponnappa. The erstwhile Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) acquired the land in 1994 and paid Rs. 6,37,451 as compensation to Ponnappa, who represented the landowners.

Contending that the compensation was inadequate, the GPA holder approached the Court, which directed payment of an additional Rs. 2 lakh. Despite the acquisition and the subsequent payment of compensation, one Mahadevaiah and Padma eventually purchased the land.

Prolonged legal battle

They later challenged the acquisition in the lower Court and the High Court, but their petitions were dismissed. The High Court also imposed a penalty for wasting the Court’s time and furnishing false information. The penalty, initially fixed at Rs. 2.5 lakh, was later reduced to Rs. 1.5 lakh.

H.M. Sujatha and others subsequently approached the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition (Civil), but it too was dismissed.

Following the dismissal, the MDA issued a notice two months ago asking the occupants to vacate the house, warning that it would be demolished. However, the occupants did not leave the premises.

Padma was not living in the house and was residing elsewhere. The old structure was occupied by women and their belongings, including luggage and furniture, were inside when the demolition team arrived.

Acting on the instructions of in-charge MDA Commissioner B.R. Mahesh, Superintending Engineer K.R. Mahesh led the operation this morning with assistance from Vijayanagar Police Inspector Lava.

MDA officials conducted a spot mahazar before beginning the demolition. The occupants’ belongings were moved out of the house, following which the structure was razed.