Bangalore Development Authority’s lapse leaves 300 families of Banashankari layout on shaky land

Bengaluru: Hundreds of site and property owners in BDA-developed Banashankari 6th Stage Layout in south Bengaluru are looking down the barrel, a day after the Karnataka High Court quashed proceedings over acquisition of 16 acres of land.

More than 300 sites of 60ftx40ft dimension have been carved out from the land under dispute. Now, a huge question mark hangs over the future of these sites and houses built on them.

The high court quashed the acquisition proceedings as BDA had failed to take possession of the land it had sought to acquire 24 years ago, providing big relief to its original landowners. The proceedings concerned parcels of land in Hemmigepura and Ganakallu villages of Kengeri hobli, Bengaluru South taluk. The petition was filed by H Nagarajaiah and three others.

Caught in a legal bind, bona-fide plot owners are worried now. "I've spent my life's savings on this site. Now I'm losing it because of BDA's negligence," said V Ramdas, a distraught homeowner. Like him, over 100 residents in the area are looking at a dire situation of losing their legally purchased properties.

With nearly 300 site owners affected, the residents are demanding immediate legal intervention and accountability from BDA.

"We have filed an appeal now. We're taking it (the case) seriously. It is a matter of pride for BDA too," said BDA commissioner N Jayaram.

The HC passed the judgment in favour of original landowners, who claimed BDA failed to fully develop the land and they continued agricultural activity on it. The decision has triggered panic and disbelief among homeowners, many of whom bought plots through official BDA allotments or auctions held between 2002 and 2024.

Ramdas, who bought a 60x40 site in 2010 and built a house in 2015 with necessary BDA plan approvals, said the betrayal is hard to accept. "If BDA knew there were issues, why didn't they stop us from building a house? They sold us the land, gave approvals, and then abandoned us when it mattered the most," he told TOI.

BDA formed the layout in 2002. The layout – a soon-to-be posh locality overlooking NICE corridor – is a sought-after address for those looking for living amid quiet and green environs. Now, the layout is fully developed with tarred roads, electricity, Cauvery water supply, streetlights, garbage collection system, and a functioning residents' welfare association. Several residents, including senior citizens, have been living in the layout for over a decade.

The court accepted the argument of the original landowners. The affected areas in the layout are 2nd, 3rd and 4th blocks. Residents alleged that BDA did precious little to protect the allottees' interests in the case. "They didn't submit basic evidence like photos of the developed roads or water connections. That's where the case went against us," said CK Raviprakash, an affected landowner.

Raviprakash, now a senior citizen, hoped to spend his retirement in the home built on the land bought decades ago. "Our faith in BDA has collapsed. We trusted the govt and invested all our savings, only to be made shelterless. I will fight till my last breath. BDA has to stand with us," he added.

Prabhu R, 79, a retired BEML employee who bought his site in 2012, is upset that the agency's failure has left his family in turmoil. "I worked for nearly 40 years and coaxed my son to invest in land in BDA because I thought they are the best and legitimate. Now, my son is blaming me for asking him to invest here because of the chaos."

Residents said they repeatedly approached BDA, urging it to file an appeal against the verdict, especially since some claimed they faced threats and intimidation from "local elements" ever since the dispute erupted.

Land conundrum

*Blocks facing threat: II, III and IV of Banashankari VI Stage

*Properties affected: At least 300 sites, mostly of 40x60ft size

*Area: Parcels of land in Hemmigepura and Ganakallu villages of Kengeri hobli

* Many bought plots from BDA through allotment or auction between 2002 and 2024

* Layout formed in 2002 has tarred roads, electricity, Cauvery water supply, streetlights, garbage-collection system, and a functioning residents' welfare association

VOICES:

If BDA knew there were issues, why didn't they stop us from building a house? They sold us the land, gave approvals and then abandoned us when it mattered the most.

Ramdas | who bought site in 2010, built house in 2015

Our faith in BDA has collapsed. We trusted the govt and invested all our savings, only to be made shelterless. I will fight till my last breath. BDA has to stand with us

Raviprakash | Owner

We have filed an appeal now and we are taking it (the case) seriously. It is a matter of pride for BDA too.

-- N Jayaram | BDA commissioner