After the Karnataka HC directed the BDA due to lapses in litigation to strictly enforce the newly framed guidelines

The High Court directed the BDA Commissioner to take a serious view and take appropriate action against the officers violating the guidelines and circulars.

The Karnataka High Court has issued a strict order to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to strictly adhere to the newly formulated guidelines and circulars issued for effective management of its litigations after the court recently pointed out “systematic failure” in handling court cases by the authority.

The court also directed the BDA commissioner to take a serious view and take appropriate action against the officers violating the guidelines and circulars.

A division bench comprising Justices, DK Singh and TM Nadafa issued the directions while allowing the appeals filed by the BDA against the single judge’s order setting aside the acquisition of several plots of land in Gubbalala village for setting up Banashankari Phase VI.

The Bench in March 2026 noted that the BDA had withdrawn one of the appeals in July 2025 on the instructions of the then senior counsel KGV Murthy. On the direction of the court, he filed an affidavit stating that he had instructed the BDA lawyer to withdraw the appeal on the instructions of the then Commissioner N. Jayaram.

After going through the affidavit filed by Mr. Jayaram explaining the reason for withdrawing the appeal against the order of the single judge, the Bench pointed out that his decision was without the resolution of the BDA Board and the reasons he gave for withdrawing the appeal “were not in good faith and in the interest of the BDA but for other than legal and legitimate considerations”.

Based on these comments, the BDA recalled its order to withdraw the appeal.

The Bench had also in July 2026 directed the current BDA Commissioner P. Manivannan to come up with measures to prevent “systematic failure” within the authority to dispose of cases before the courts.

Pursuant to this direction, the BDA issues guidelines for resolution of disputes raised by and against it before various legal fora. Under the guidelines, a Litigation Review Board, chaired by the commissioner and including the Solicitor General or Designated Additional Solicitor General, Senior Solicitor and Deputy Solicitor General, would review all adverse judgments before deciding whether to appeal.

The guidelines further mandate that “no case shall be withdrawn, settled or compromised without the prior approval of the Commissioner”. It also requires digitization of all court records through E-Office system, use of artificial intelligence tools for case management where possible and regular monthly and quarterly review meetings.

The guidelines also mandate that information related to court notices and orders be shared through the BDA’s legal group on messaging app Whatsapp within 24 to 48 hours.

Meanwhile, a circular issued by the BDA Commissioner makes every officer, from Nodal Officer to Panel Advocate, personally responsible for compliance, stating that any negligence or delay prejudicial to the interests of the authority will be taken seriously.

Published – 14 Oct 2026 21:09 IST