MDA’s Rs. 80-crore property demolition

Mysuru: The family members of owners of a large residential property worth Rs. 80 crore, bulldozed yesterday by the Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) in Vijayanagar Fourth Stage, Second Phase Layout, have strongly objected to the demolition.

The property is located in Survey No. 118 of Basavanahalli village, Kasaba Hobli, Mysuru taluk. The demolition drive covered about 5 acres and 14 guntas in the layout. The encroached property included a 50 ft. x 80 ft. house and 14 sites, each measuring 40 ft. x 60 ft.

Gauri, daughter of one of the landowners, alleged that MDA officials demolished their house without issuing any notice and in violation of Court orders.

Speaking to reporters, Gauri said Mahadevaiah had purchased the land from Devaki Subramanya in 1994. “We have owned the land ever since. MDA officials now claim that they acquired land and paid compensation to a GPA (General Power of Attorney) holder,” she said.

How can a GPA  holder get paid?

She contended that the law did not permit payment of compensation to a GPA holder. “It is the Court that determines who is entitled to receive compensation.

The compensation amount should have been deposited before the Court through a cheque. However, MDA has falsely claimed that compensation has already been paid,” she alleged.

Gauri further said the Supreme Court had directed that a 15-day notice be issued before undertaking any eviction or demolition drive. “But yesterday, without issuing any notice, officials carried out the operation,” she charged.

Court did not order demolition

She alleged that the authorities had caused substantial losses to the family. “Officials claim that a notice was issued two months ago. While the case was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Sept. 15, there was no order directing the demolition of the house or eviction from the property,” she said.

Accusing MDA officials of harassing the family over the years, she recalled that former MUDA Commissioner D.B. Natesh had visited the property to carry out an eviction drive on Dec. 18, 2021. “The incident severely affected our 75-year-old grandmother, Padma and her health began to deteriorate,” she said.

According to Gauri, Padma suffered shock following threats allegedly issued by MDA officials and died on Dec. 31. “MDA officials are responsible for her death. Even after that, they repeatedly came under the pretext of conducting operations and continued to harass us,” she alleged.