Pramesh S Jain
The Karnataka Lokayukta has taken serious note of the construction of an unauthorised six-storey building in Bengaluru without obtaining the mandatory building licence or an approved building plan.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the alleged dereliction of duty by officials of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), the Lokayukta has issued summons to senior officials,directing them to appear personally on November 18.
The unauthorised construction has come to light at property No.03,Khata No.89/1/3,in Chellakere village, falling under the Kalyan Nagar postal limits of Bengaluru.
During the proceedings,BBMP Assistant Executive Engineer Arpita reportedly admitted before the Lokayukta that no sanctioned building plan had been issued for the construction.
Despite the absence of an approved plan,the construction of the six-storey building was allowed to continue, with the concerned BBMP officials allegedly failing to take any action to stop the work.
Taking note of the circumstances,the Lokayukta observed that there appeared to be a possibility of collusion between BBMP officials and other concerned officials.
The matter,prima facie,points towards administrative misconduct and warrants a serious investigation,it noted.
In this connection,summons have been issued to the BBMP Mahadevapura Zone Commissioner,the Chief Engineer of the K.R.Puram Circle,the Chief Engineer of Bescom’s North Zone,Assistant Executive Engineer Suresh Giri,currently serving in the Hennur Sub-Division, and Assistant Engineer Akshay.
All the officials have been directed to appear personally before the Lokayukta on November 18,2026,and submit explanations regarding their roles and the circumstances surrounding the unauthorised construction.
The Lokayukta has indicated that further proceedings will examine the alleged dereliction of duty by the officials concerned and the administrative failures that allowed the unauthorised building to come up.
