HC orders action against Palike officials for failure to clean SWDs

The High Court on Tuesday ordered that disciplinary action be taken against the BBMP officials who have failed to clean the stormwater drains (SWDs) in DJ Halli and Muneshwara wards.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice Ram Mohan Reddy directed that the wages may be ordered to be withdrawn if the officials fail to perform their duties.

The bench passed the order after the petitioner’s advocate V J Benjamine filed an affidavit stating that the cleaning of the stormwater drains in DJ Halli had not been carried out properly and that garbage was still found in the drain.

The petitioner’s counsel said that BBMP officials were dumping debris into the canal and were trying to close it, instead of connecting it to the drain. This would cause flooding in the area during rains. The bench directed BBMP to take necessary steps and adjourned the hearing to April 17.

‘Lock down church’
The High Court on Tuesday directed BBMP to lock the premises of a church constructed in Kammanahalli for violating building bylaws and to take action as per Section 321 of the Karnataka Municipal Council Act, which provides for demolition. While disposing of the petition filed by Bartholomew P, a resident of Kammanahalli, Justice B V Nagarathna directed the Archdiocese of Bangalore not to utilise the premises till BBMP passes orders. 

BBMP had issued notice to the church on February 7, 2015, for constructing the building, violating the bylaws. The bench directed BBMP to take action as per the notice issued and disposed of the petition.