Latest news with #VibhuBakhru
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka HC to examine government's SOP after Bengaluru stampede
The Karnataka high court has said it wants to examine the government's standard operating procedures (SOPs) for crowd control during large public events, in wake of the June 4 stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during the celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory. On June 4, 11 people were killed in a stampede during the RCB's victory celebrations outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium (AP) A bench of chief justice Vibhu Bakhru and justice CM Joshi asked advocate general Shashikiran Shetty whether such SOPs were in place and cited the stampede last week at the Mansadevi temple in Haridwar to underscore the importance of protocol in handling mass gatherings. Shetty, informing the bench that the state did have an existing SOP in place and that it had been updated and released by the government on July 1, sought time to place the same on record. The court accepted the request. The new SOPs, framed and made public by the government after the June 4 tragedy, emphasise 'early planning, inter-departmental coordination, behavioural risk assessment, and prioritisation of life safety, and de-escalation' during crowded events, among other things. The state also informed the bench that was hearing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) initiated in the aftermath of the stampede, that the judicial commission's inquiry into the June 4 stampede was complete and that the report has been tabled before the cabinet, but was yet to be discussed. Event management company DNA Entertainment Networks, which is a respondent party to the suo motu PIL, pointed out that while the cabinet is yet to take a call on the report and the parties to the matter were yet to receive a copy, sections of the media appear to have accessed the document. 'We are a party to the matter and still haven't received a copy. How is it that the media has all details?' senior advocate Sampath Kumar asked. Kumar added that news reports were hampering DNA's image and urged the court to direct the state to give his client a copy of the full report. He made the same submissions before another bench of the high court that was presiding over related proceedings. He urged the bench of justices Jayant Banerji and Umesh Adiga — hearing the petition filed by DNA Entertainment challenging the judicial commission's inquiry and report — to direct the state to give a copy of such report to all parties. The bench said it will consider DNA's arguments but directed the government to submit a copy of the report meanwhile, for 'its eyes only', to aid its adjudication. The advocate general agreed and said he will give the court a copy of the report by August 5, the next date of hearing on DNA's plea. The stampede on June 4 claimed 11 lives and injured several others. Meanwhile, home minister G Parameshwara said that the former Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda, whose suspension was revoked by the government along with three other police officers, will not be reinstated in the same position, and will be instead given a post equivalent to his ranking. With inputs from PTI
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Karntaka high court notice to National Highways Authority on PIL against illegal toll collection
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has ordered notice to the ministry of road transport and the National Highways Authority of India, in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a direction to restrain them from the alleged illegal collection of Rs 40 toll at Nagasandra. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi directed the respondents to submit their response to the PIL filed by advocate AV Amarnathan and posted the matter for hearing on Sept 17. According to the petitioner, he recently shifted his residence to a township located at Dasanapura on Huskur Road. While travelling along the Nelamangala-Bengaluru Road via Nagasandra flyover, a Rs 40 toll charge was collected from him for about 5-km distance from the Parle G factory to Goraguntepalya stretch. He added that when he received a map from Bengaluru North taluk, issued by the survey department, he came to know that the collection of the toll is illegal since the 5-km stretch falls within the city. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru According to him, despite the expiry of the contract period in 2021, the toll plaza is still collecting toll fee through Fastags from every vehicle passing through the road, which connects about 20 districts of Karnataka. Apart from seeking a prayer for restraining the respondents, the petitioner also sought a direction to them to furnish details of the toll collection at Nagasandra toll plaza from 2021 till now.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
Karnataka HC notice to govt. on plea challenging project of developing Roerich estate as tourism hub
The High Court of Karnataka on Friday ordered issue of notice to the Central and State governments on a PIL petition questioning the State government's project of developing Roerich and Devika Rani Roerich Estate, Benglauru, as a tourism hub under the Central Government's Special Assistance Scheme for development of iconic tourist centres. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi passed the order on the petition filed by R.R. Nagar I Care Trust, Bengaluru. Contrary to Act Questioning the approval for the project given by the State government in December 2024, the petitioner has contended that the development of the estate as a tourism hub is contrary to the provisions of the Roerich and Devika Rani Roerich Estate (Acquisition and Transfer) Act, 1996. While seeking quashing of the approval granted for the project, the petitioner has sought a direction to the Roerich and Devika Rani Roerich Estate Board to conduct a scientific profiling of environmental, ecological, and wildlife factors of the estate, and to develop a plan towards object intent of the acquisition of the estate. Also, a direction to the estate's board has been sought to hold and declare the contiguous area of the estate as a biodiversity heritage site, or propose a conservation reserve for the remaining estate.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Bengaluru stampede: DNA Entertainment moves Karnataka high court to quash inquiry report
Bengaluru: DNA Entertainment Pvt Ltd has approached Karnataka high court seeking the quashing of the Justice John Michael D'Cunha inquiry committee's report into the June 4 stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The company has alleged procedural lapses and bias in the report, which holds officials from DNA, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL), and cops, including former Bengaluru police commissioner, accountable for the tragedy. In its petition, DNA has argued that the report was submitted in undue haste, ignoring critical documentation that demonstrated the company's efforts to manage the event inside the stadium. The company argued that it can't be held liable for crowd mismanagement outside the venue, which falls under the jurisdiction of the govt and police. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The petition also flagged the denial of cross-examination rights under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. The company stated it had repeatedly requested the opportunity to question witnesses and inspect depositions, but wasn't allowed to do so. It argued that this amounted to a violation of natural justice and rendered the findings legally untenable. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Further, the petition pointed out that the authorities didn't respond to memos filed by the company on July 3. DNA has also raised questions over the legality of the report's timing — claiming the one-month deadline from June 5 had lapsed without a formal extension. The company noted that it had already paid for police deployment at the venue. It cited the relocation of a subsequent IPL match to Lucknow, which it claimed showed the authorities were aware of the capacity and safety issues but took no remedial action. The petitioner also raised concerns about simultaneous inquiries, including a parallel probe being conducted by the Bengaluru Urban deputy commissioner. DNA contended that being subjected to both violates Article 20(2) of the Constitution, which prohibits multiple proceedings for the same offence. After procedural scrutiny, the petition is expected to be listed for hearing shortly. In a related development, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi adjourned the hearing of a suo motu PIL on the matter to next Tuesday.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Karnataka High Court stays single judge order on differential property fee
BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday stayed the order passed by the single judge, who set aside the amendment to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Act to permit levy of fees for plan sanction, issuance of completion and occupancy certificates and ground rent, based on the guidance value or market value of the properties. However, the division bench clarified that the amount already collected on those heads has to be refunded, if the BBMP fails in its appeal filed before the court against the single judge's order. A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi passed the interim order after hearing the appeal filed by the BBMP questioning the single judge's order dated June 5. The single judge passed the order while disposing of the petitions filed by Sapthagiri Shelters and several individual property owners and land developers. The single judge observed that a uniform rate can be collected depending upon the size of the plot and the extent of constructions and services related to sanction of plan for building construction rendered by the BBMP has nothing to do with the market value of the property or any logic in linking rates with the guidance value of the properties in different areas, notified by the government under the Karnataka Stamp Act for collection of stamp duty. Declaring that the linking of the fee, leviable under Rule 37-A of the Karnataka Planning Authority Rules, 1965, to the market or guidance value for development of building or land or sanction for sub-division of plot or layout of Private Street under the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Authority Act, is illegal, the single judge had given liberty to the State Government and the BBMP to refix a standard fee after collecting empirical data.
