Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has ordered an investigation by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police to find out who is responsible for the construction of drains connecting the Raj Canal in various layouts of Sarjapur Hobli in Anekal Taluk of Bangalore City District.
Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed this order after hearing a petition filed by Ramaswamy of Shantipura and three others challenging the filing of a complaint by the Tehsildar of Anekal taluk in 2016.
The court said that no permission was given to discharge the sewage into the Raj Canal. This not only leads to siltation but also causes more problems due to waterlogging. No layouts will be sanctioned without provision of adequate drainage facilities by BWSSB Adequate sewage treatment plants were to be set up to treat the sewage. The court said the National Green Tribunal order regarding installation of STP in apartment complexes was applicable to residential estates as well.
The court directed all the departments including Panchayat Raj Department, BBMP, Revenue Department, Survey Settlement Office, KSPCB, Lake Development Authority to cooperate in the investigation and ordered that the additional charge sheet be submitted by January 2 next year.
Self-initiated PIL
Considering that these allegations are of high impact and public importance, the court directed the Registrar General to conduct a hearing before the Acting Chief Justice to direct self-initiated public interest litigations and the relevant government agencies.
