Mysuru: The Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) demolished a large residential house and reclaimed encroached land worth approximately ₹80 crore in Vijayanagar Fourth Stage, Second Phase Layout, on Friday, October 30. The demolition was part of the Authority’s ongoing drive to recover its properties from alleged encroachers following prolonged legal proceedings.
The operation covered around 5 acres and 14 guntas of land in the layout. The property included a 50 ft x 80 ft residential house and 14 sites, each measuring 40 ft x 60 ft.
The action came a day after the MDA reclaimed another property worth around ₹15 crore at Sharadadevinagar near Bogadi in Mysuru.
Land acquired by MUDA in 1994
According to an MDA press release, the property is located in Survey No. 118 of Basavanahalli village, Kasaba Hobli, Mysuru taluk.
The land originally belonged to Devaki, who had given a General Power of Attorney (GPA) to M.B. Ponnappa. The erstwhile Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) acquired the land in 1994 and paid compensation of ₹6,37,451 to Ponnappa, who represented the landowners.
However, the GPA holder approached the court, claiming that the compensation was inadequate. The court subsequently directed the payment of an additional ₹2 lakh.
Despite the acquisition and payment of compensation, Mahadevaiah and Padma later purchased the property and challenged the land acquisition.
Legal battle reaches the Supreme Court
The purchasers challenged the acquisition proceedings before the lower court and the Karnataka High Court. However, their petitions were dismissed.
The High Court also imposed a penalty for wasting the court’s time and submitting false information. The penalty, initially fixed at ₹2.5 lakh, was later reduced to ₹1.5 lakh.
Subsequently, H.M. Sujatha and others approached the Supreme Court by filing a Special Leave Petition (Civil). However, the petition was also dismissed, clearing the way for the MDA to proceed with recovering the property.
Occupants asked to vacate before demolition
Following the dismissal of the legal challenges, the MDA issued a notice to the occupants around two months ago, directing them to vacate the premises and warning that the house would be demolished.
However, the occupants reportedly continued to stay in the property.
According to the report, Padma was not residing in the house and was staying elsewhere. Women were occupying the old structure, and their belongings, including furniture and luggage, were inside when the demolition team arrived.
MDA officials supervise demolition drive
Acting on the instructions of in-charge MDA Commissioner B.R. Mahesh, Superintending Engineer K.R. Mahesh led the demolition operation with assistance from Vijayanagar Police Inspector Lava.
Before starting the demolition, MDA officials conducted a spot mahazar. The occupants’ belongings were shifted out of the house, following which the structure was razed.
With the latest operation, the MDA has continued its efforts to recover land allotted for development purposes and remove encroachments on its properties.