High Court warns Mangaluru civic body, KSPCB over Pachanady garbage disaster

News Network

October 24, 2020

Mangaluru, Oct 24: The High Court of Karnataka has asked the Mangaluru City Corporation and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board to clarify its stance on appointing an organisation such as the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute to prevent recurrence of tragedies such as the Pachanady disaster.

In August 2019, a mound of garbage at the Pachanady landfill, on the outskirts of the coastal city slid downwards landing on various houses and several houses.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka pointed out to the MCC and the pollution board that the garbage dump had become a major health hazard, contaminating local groundwater aquifers.

The court also sought an explanation from the member-secretary of the KSPCB on whether or not action would be taken against the officer who had failed to lodge a complaint in connection with the Pachanady disaster 14 months after the incident, instead of doing so immediately after.

The court was informed that the state government had disbursed the remaining quantum of amount, Rs 14 crore, towards compensation for those affected by the disaster. The lawyer for the MCC, meanwhile, issued a new paper publication calling on all those affected by the disaster to submit their claims.

The court is hearing the case following a PIL filed by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

From Dubai boom to Bengaluru backlash: Inside CJ Roy’s journey

News Network

January 31,2026

Bengaluru: The shooting incident involving CJ Roy, founder of the Confident Group, has once again put the spotlight on a businessman whose life has swung between flamboyant global success and persistent controversy at home.

Though Roy’s business interests extended across continents, his roots lay firmly in Karnataka. An alumnus of Christ School in Bengaluru, he later moved to Tumakuru to pursue an engineering degree. Those familiar with his early years describe him as intensely ambitious, beginning his career as a salesman at a small electronics firm dealing in computers.

Roy’s entry into large-scale real estate came through the Crystal Group, where he worked closely with Latha Namboothiri and rose from manager to director. However, the launch of the Confident Group in 2005 was clouded by industry speculation. Insiders speak of a fallout involving alleged “benami” properties and claims of deception that ultimately led to his independent venture—an episode Roy spent years trying to distance himself from, according to associates.

A tale of two cities

Roy’s professional trajectory diverged sharply across geographies.

In Dubai, he built a reputation as a bold and efficient developer, completing massive luxury residential projects in record time—some reportedly within 11 months. His rapid project delivery and lavish lifestyle in the Emirates earned him admiration and visibility in the real estate sector.

In Bengaluru, however, his image remained far more fractured. Sources say Roy stayed away from the city for several years amid disputes over unpaid dues to vendors and suppliers. Several projects were allegedly stalled, with accusations of unfulfilled commitments to cement and steel suppliers continuing to follow him.

Roy’s return to Bengaluru’s business and social circles began around 2018, marked by a conscious attempt at rebranding. His appointment as Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic added diplomatic legitimacy, which he complemented with visible CSR initiatives, including ambulance donations and high-profile charity events.

Heavy police presence in Langford Town

Following the incident, police personnel from the Central division were deployed outside the Confident Group building in Langford Town, which also houses the Slovak Honorary Consulate in Bengaluru.

The otherwise busy premises near Hosur Road wore a deserted look on Friday, reflecting the shock and uncertainty that followed the tragedy.

Comments