Govt has no right to allot G-category sites: Karnataka high court

The BS Yeddyurappa government may be struggling to duck allegations of irregularities in allotting ‘G’ category sites through Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), but the high court on Wednesday ruled that the government has no power to allot sites under this category to any person under the BDA Act, 1976.

Justice Abdul Nazeer made the observation while hearing a petition filed by K Raju, challenging the cancellation of a ‘G’ category site involving former minister Kumar Bangarappa.
According to guidelines on issuing ‘G’ category sites, persons in public life with prominent contribution to society are eligible for preferential allotment of sites through BDA.

Raju, in his petition, said he had purchased a site 11A in HSR Layout which was allotted to Kumar Bangarappa on 13 June, 2007, as an alternative site given to him in Banaswadi under ‘G’ category. Within three days Bangarappa, who had paid Rs8.57 lakh for the site, sold it to one person by name Madhudondababa for Rs85 lakh. Madhudondababa, in turn, sold the site to the petitioner Raju for Rs1.25 crore on December 7, 2007.

A neighbouring site, 11A at HSR Layout,  was auctioned for sale by the BDA and was purchased by Raju again for Rs1.50 crore on May 2, 2008. The BDA then cancelled the allotment of site to Bangarappa at the HSR Layout. Justice Nazeer not only has quashed the cancellation of the allotment of the site by BDA, but also directed the BDA Commissioner to probe into the matter and take action against the erring officials.