Mantri Mall comes under BBMP scanner yet again

Civic body submits report and refers case to Lokayukta seeking investigations against its officials for fabricating documents to aid in acquisition of 4.3 acres of land

Mantri Mall comes under BBMP scanner yet again

Civic body submits report and refers case to Lokayukta seeking investigations against its officials for fabricating documents to aid in acquisition of 4.3 acres of land

In a strict and decisive move, the BBMP has again taken on Mantri developers with gusto on further illegal encroachments and referred the case to the Lokayukta for detailed investigations.

Demolition man: Standing committee chairman A Ravindra
(second from right) inspects Mantri Mall. File pic

A three-member committee formed by the palike comprising Wajid Zafari (DC Estate), Chikkamuniyappa (Assistant Commissioner) and Y M Ramchandramurthy (DC Health) submitted a report against Mantri Mall, and slammed authorities in the department for fabricating documents and aiding the developers in the acquisition of 4.3 acres of land.

In a copy of the report available with MiD DAY, the committee reveals that of the 4 acres of the Transferable Development Right land, 2 and a half acres belong to the government, while in actuality Mantri owns only 28 guntas of the said land.

This irregularity was first revealed by corporator T Mallesh of Subhash Nagar. "I brought this irregularity to light, but the committee has only released its report now. There is an obvious violation by Mantri Mall and the commissioner has currently taken interest in the case," he said. The Commissioner, who is busy dealing generating funds to run the palike, has now written to the Lokayukta regarding the matter.

"To get authenticity in the case, we have handed over the entire report to Lokayukta. We have conducted an impartial investigation and now the higher authorities will have to initiate an investigation and take action. Also, those persons who issued the documents should also be subjected to inquiry," Ramchandramurthy said.
When contacted, Kiran Kumar vice president of Mantri Mall failed to answer his phone, but the person who did on his behalf feigned ignorance.

"We have not received any such report, and neither has the BBMP sent us any notices in this regard. We will react only after we go through the report in detail," the person said.

Back in time
The Mysore Maharaja had given 16 acres of land to Mysore Spinning and Weaving Mills between 1912 and 1914. The company was branded 'sick' and the land was sold to National Textile Corporation. Shortly after, this company was also branded 'sick' and the land was sold to Mantri in 2005. However, the developers entered a sale deed for 18 acres of land and instead of registration of the property being done in Gandhi Nagar sub registration where the disputed land falls, it was done in Rajaji Nagar. An objection can be raised against any purchase of property within three years of the sale, but in this case, no objections were raised even seven years after the sale.