BANGALORE: When a Plot Becomes a Tennis Court In what could be a classic instance of the fence eating the crop, former Lokayukta Justice N Venkatachala — someone perceived to be upright — has been embroiled in a serious land violation, as Express found out in an investigation. The former Lokayukta, who claims to have got “necessary” permission from authorities to convert a residential site into a tennis court, has not obtained any such sanction. Venkatachala was allotted a site (No 1381) measuring 60x90 sq ft by the Karnataka State Judicial Department Employees House Building Cooperative Society Limited more than a decade ago. As per the society’s norms, he was supposed to construct a house within two years of allotment. The site was allotted for residential purposes only.However, Venkatachala has converted the residential site into a tennis court thus violating the society’s norms. “It is astonishing that Venkatachala, known for his raids to trap corrupt government officials, has violated the norms of the Judicial Department Employees’ House Building Cooperative Society,” complains a resident of the Judicial Layout on condition of anonymity.Many residents opine that there are no separate rules for the Judicial Layout. The very rules that apply to the layouts formed by Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and residential sites in Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) apply to residential sites in the Judicial Layout too. “As per the norms, we are not supposed to sell the sites within 10 years of allotment and also use the residential site for other purposes,” another resident stresses, on condition of anonymity.However, Venkatachala, who resides in Sadashivanagar, said that he has converted the residential site into a tennis court for the benefit of his grand-daughter. “My grand-daughter likes tennis a lot. So, I converted the site into tennis court to encourage her,” he told this reporter.He does not believe that what he has done amounts to a violation. “Yes, there is a norm to construct a house within two years of allotment but I have no money to construct the house on that site. Why are you asking so many questions? Have not many house owners in the city violated building norms?” he asked in complete defiance.Meanwhile, in what could deflate the former Lokayukta’s claims, Ravindranath Talwad, Assistant Executive Engineer (Town Planning) of Byatarayapura Division of BBMP, said that Venkatachala has not sought permission to convert the residential site into a tennis court.
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