Karnataka High Court Issues Notice On PIL Challenging Amendment To BDA Act To Regularize Illegal Constructions

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday issued notice to the State Government and in a petition challenging the state amendment to the Bangalore Development Authority Act, which came into force on July 10, 2020 and the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act KTCP Amendment Act which came into force on July 31, 2020. The BDA Amendment Act seeks to inter alia, legalize the illegal occupation and construction on lands owned by the Bengaluru Development Authority. The petition filed by Vijayan Menon states that "The BDA Amendment Act, like the Akrama Sakrama Scheme, is prima facie violative of Articles 14, 21 and 243ZE of the Constitution of India and is also contrary to the existing provisions of the Bengaluru Development Authority Act, 1976." The plea states that "The implementation of the BDA Amendment Act would render infructuous the current challenge to the Akrama Sakrama Scheme. The petition prays for a declaration that the BDA Amendment Act, the KTCP Amendment Act and the KTCP Amended Rules Notification as violative of Articles 14, 21 and 243ZE of the Constitution of India.