Court dismisses green zone PIL at BTC

Bangalore: The Karnataka High Court on Monday dismissed a PIL seeking a direction to the authorities to maintain the 70-odd acres of Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) as a `green zone'.
"It hasn't been given yet. This (PIL) is like naming an unborn baby without knowing whether it is male or female. Where is the government order? We cannot act on presumptions and assumptions.The government advocate states that as of today they have not taken any decision," the division Bench headed by Chief Justice P D Dinakaran said while dismissing the PIL and reserving the liberty of petitioners to approach the court when the need arises.
"Shall we extend the high court there? We have no space for quarters and even a canteen. Now, we have to go near Hosur for space. We'll keep this building as a heritage building. Is that okay?" the Bench remarked in a lighter vein.
The PIL was filed by seven eminent personalities who wanted it to be maintained as a lung space/ open space and form it once the club is shifted after the lease expires on Dec. 31, 2009.
Jnanpith awardees U R Ananthamurthy and Girish Karnad, environmentalist Suresh Heblikar, litterateur K Marulasiddappa, theatre personality G K Govinda Rao, painter S G Vasudev and writer Ammu Joseph jointly filed this PIL. It seeks to restrain the authorities from entering into any fresh contract or lease with any builder or developer for building a 200-250-storey building in this area.
"The government first wanted it to be a 200-250 storey building. Now, it has scaled it down to 100-150 storeys based on the statement made by the chief minister as a guest editor of TOI. It is said they have already signed a contract with a Singapore-based company. The documents are not available," counsel for petitioners told the court while seeking an interim order.
The government advocate quickly added that there was no final decision in the matter and there is no secret deal as alleged by the petitioners.
Court permission
On July 13, the high court had given the state government liberty to take appropriate action in the shifting of the race course. The division Bench headed by Chief Justice Dinakaran told the authorities to act "strictly in accordance with law" in the matter. The cabinet took a decision to allot land to the BTC at Chikkajala near Yelahanka.