Apex court stays Akrama-Sakrama

January 14, 2017

New Delhi, Jan 14: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed a move to regularise illegal constructions in Karnataka through a scheme popularly known as Akrama-Sakrama.

Apex
A bench of Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud questioned the Congress government's decision: “We don't know what they are doing. Where are they taking the nation?”

Hearing a plea by Namma Bangalore Foundation and others, the bench initially said, “What can we do as the legislature knows best how to deal with the situation? People are living there in those buildings. Maybe they are thinking nationally... as so many illegal colonies are being regularised in Delhi.”

However, the court put on hold the Karnataka High Court order of December 13, 2016. The high court had then lifted its own stay on the scheme to regularise unauthorised constructions and commercial buildings built in residential layouts. The stay had remained in force from 2007 till December 2016. The Supreme Court's order will stall revenue generation of thousands of crores at the municipalities.

Lakhs of owners of unauthorised residential and commercial properties were expected to benefit from the scheme.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the NGO, challenged the high court's order.

He submitted that the state government had decided to extend the cut-off date for such structures from September 15, 2007, to December 30, 2013.

He said, “The consequences of the decision is to make a clear distinction between the abiding class and the violating class”.

“How can the high court say that it is in public interest? How can change of land use be allowed by amending the Town and Planning Act?” he said.

The Karnataka government, represented by Basava Prabhu Patil, and the BBMP, represented by Sanjay Nuli, defended the high court's decision.

They maintained the policy fell under the domain of the state legislature and was introduced in the larger public interest. Besides, it was intended to earn revenue for the municipalities, they contended.

The apex court, however, said, “the interim order of the high court would remain stayed.” The state government's counsel requested the court to expedite the hearing, but the bench refused.

It's a complete halt'

Given the Supreme Court order on Friday, no applications under Akrama-Sakrama can now be processed, the petitioners said. The order implies a complete stay until the matter is heard again by the Supreme Court, they reasoned.

A really long see-saw

Bylaw violations and illegal constructions are rampant in Bengaluru and other cities. Since 2004, the government has been talking about regularising them.

The High Court stayedregularisation plans in 2007, but vacated the stay in December 2016.

The Supreme Court order cries halt to plans of huge revenue generation.

Lakhs of owners had expected to benefit from the scheme.

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.
News Network
December 2,2025

DKSsiddu.jpg

Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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.
News Network
December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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.
News Network
December 2,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Mangaluru International Airport responded to a medical emergency late on Monday night. Air India Express flight IX 522, travelling from Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.

The Airport’s Operations Control Centre received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. The airport activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs. 

Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged to shift him to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.

Following the handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on Tuesday.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said. 

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.