Karnataka HC Notification to Govt. about BDA’s plan to construct a new building for its headquarters by demolishing the existing one

Karnataka High Court | Photo credit: File Photo

The Karnataka High Court has ordered a notice to the state government and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) on a petition challenging the BDA’s decision to demolish its existing headquarters and construct a new building in its place.

A division bench comprising Anu Sivaraman and Justice KS Bharatha Kumar passed the order on a petition filed by social activists BM Shivakumar and H Shivaram.

The petition pointed out that the BDA in its board meeting held on 30 December 2025 had passed a resolution delegating powers to the Chairman and Commissioner to demolish the old building and construct a new one as part of BDA’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

The petition claimed that the existing building, which includes an extension ‘Development Bhavan’ built in 2004, remains functional and has essentially been maintained from public funds.

He further claims that no assessment of the stability or condition of the structure was conducted, no report was obtained from the Department of Public Works, and no feasibility study was conducted to examine whether repair, renovation or strengthening of the structure could serve instead.

Alleging that the BDA is indebted, the petitioners argued that spending crores of rupees of public money in such a financial situation is not in the public interest. The petitioners also alleged that the authority had not audited its accounts for over five years and that its accounts were not publicly available.

Stating that the existing buildings should not be allowed to be demolished without a duly verified civil engineering assessment, the petitioners said that the BDA is proceeding with its plan without government approval.

Published – 9 Oct 2026 23:43 IST