Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka has stayed the demolition of 83 years old Asiatic Building on K G Road in which Janata Baazar was functioning.
A PIL was filed by The Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) to protect the building. The interim order staying the demolition of the building was passed by a division bench of the HC. The High Court served notices to the state government, Karnataka PWD, BBMP and BDA in this regard. INTACH has requested the court to declare the building as a heritage structure under the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act (KTCP).
The government has proposed to build a 14-floor commercial and multi-storeyed parking complex in the location.
INTACH made its representation to the state government when the PWD had issued order to demolish the building in December 2016. The Bengaluru Development Authority has classified Asiatic buildings as heritage structures in the Revised Master Plan (RMP) 2031. Since Janata Bazar building is an Asiatic Building and needs to be protected, contended the petitioner.
INTACH had contended that the demolition order was issued exercising executive power while RMP 2031 has been issued exercising statutory power which takes precedence over executive power here.