A towering 15-story block in Bengaluru’s Peenya area is set to face the wrecking ball after the Karnataka High Court ruled the entire structure must be demolished. The decision came in response to a prolonged legal battle over the illegal construction of the ‘A’ Wing of Platinum City apartments.
In its directive, the Court ordered the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to devise a comprehensive plan for evacuating residents and tearing down the building, setting a December 11 deadline for the strategy.
The controversy stems from developer Sheriff Constructions failing to adhere to building regulations. The firm was previously instructed to remove unauthorized sections of the structure, but attempts to preserve the lower floors faltered. The developer claimed that demolishing the top portion would compromise the stability of the entire building, prompting the Court to demand a full teardown.
“Having violated the sanctioned plan and later failing to rectify the illegalities, the developer now admits structural instability if partial demolition is attempted. The entire building cannot be saved and must be razed,” the Court stated.
Beyond ordering demolition, the Court held the builder accountable for compensating apartment buyers for their losses, including the inconvenience caused by the situation. The value of the apartments at the time of demolition will determine the reparations.
This legal dispute traces back to 2013, when the developer petitioned for occupancy certificates for portions of the project. Although the development plan was approved decades earlier, there was no sanctioned building plan in place—a glaring violation of local regulations.
Over the years, the High Court granted multiple extensions and directed the submission of revised plans in line with BDA guidelines. However, the developer’s failure to comply culminated in the November 25 ruling mandating total demolition.
As December 11 approaches, the fate of the beleaguered building serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of bypassing urban development laws.
