the Karnataka High Court has ordered the demolition of the 15-floor ‘A’ Wing of Platinum City in Peenya, Bengaluru, due to violations of the sanctioned construction plan. The court directed the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to prepare a plan for the evacuation and demolition of the building, ensuring that the development adheres to the laws.
The court’s decision follows a lengthy legal battle, beginning in 2013 when the builder, Sheriff Constructions, petitioned for the issuance of an occupancy certificate for the complex’s A to G blocks. Over the years, several defects and violations were identified, including a lack of proper sanction and development plans during construction. In a hearing on November 25, 2024, Justice Suraj Govindaraj rejected the builder’s new argument that demolishing the 15th-floor slab and beam would make the structure unstable. The builder had previously been granted extensions to rectify the violations but failed to comply with the BDA’s directives. The court noted that the petitioner’s failure to correct the issues meant that the entire building would need to be demolished.
The court also stated that the cost of demolition and any associated losses to the homebuyers would be borne by the petitioner. This includes taking into account the current value of the apartments and the inconvenience caused to residents. The court emphasized that the latitude extended to the builder was intended to protect the residents, not to absolve the builder of responsibility for the illegal construction. Justice Govindaraj remarked that the petitioner had initially been allowed to attempt partial demolition in an effort to save the building, but now it was clear that the entire structure could not be salvaged. The final date for further consideration of the case is set for December 11, 2024, and the BDA has been tasked with issuing a tender for the demolition within two weeks.
