The Karnataka High Court has asked the State government to respond to a PIL challenging the demolition of houses in Yelahanka’s Kogilu Layout without proper notice. The Court noted the State’s assurance on rehabilitation and listed the matter for further hearing on January 22.
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday asked the State government to file its response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by residents of Waseem Layout and Fakir Colony, who have alleged that their houses in Yelahanka’s Kogilu Layout area were illegally demolished last month without giving them proper notice.
The PIL has been filed by Zaiba Tabassum and other residents, who claimed that the demolition drive conducted on December 20, 2025, resulted in the illegal eviction of many families who had been living in the area for decades.
The petitioners told the Court that the demolitions were carried out without following Supreme Court guidelines and without issuing lawful notices to the affected residents.
A Bench led by Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Pooncha recorded the submission made by the State government that three locations have been identified for the rehabilitation of people affected by the demolition drive.
The State informed the Court that food and other basic facilities would be provided at these rehabilitation sites.
In view of these submissions, the High Court declined to pass any immediate interim relief orders at this stage.
The Bench took note of the statement made by Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, who appeared for the State government and assured the Court that rehabilitation measures were already underway.
The Court directed the State to file a detailed response to the PIL within one week. It further ordered that the matter will be listed for further hearing on January 22. The petitioners were also given liberty to file their rejoinder after the State submits its reply.
According to the petitioners, the demolition drive has left several families homeless, even though they had been residing in the area for several years. They argued that the authorities failed to follow due process and did not issue proper notice before carrying out the demolition.
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The residents also requested the Court to direct a detailed survey to identify all affected persons and to grant proper compensation for the alleged illegal demolition.
In addition, the petitioners sought directions for rehabilitation of the affected residents within a 5-kilometer radius of the demolition site, stating that relocation far away would severely impact their livelihoods, access to work, education, and basic services.
Opposing the plea, Advocate General Shetty argued that the Supreme Court guidelines cited by the petitioners do not apply to this case, as the land in question belongs to the government.
He further submitted that the constructions on the land were contaminating the groundwater, making it necessary for the authorities to act.
He also questioned the claim that residents had been living in the area for decades and told the Court that satellite images would be produced to show when the houses were actually constructed.
On the other hand, counsel for the petitioners contended that rehabilitation measures should have been arranged before the demolition was carried out.
He submitted that residents were removed without warning and are now living without shelter. He urged the Court to grant some form of interim relief to protect the basic rights of the affected families.
After considering the submissions, the High Court observed that the State has now earmarked rehabilitation spaces for those affected. Taking this into account, the Bench adjourned the matter by two weeks and reiterated its direction to the State to file a detailed response.
Case Title:
Zaiba Tabassum and ors v. State of Karnataka
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