Karnataka HC Directs State To Come Out With Rehabilitation Scheme For Persons Evicted As Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Hemant Chandangoudar said "Time granted to state to come out with rehabilitation scheme, by way of last chance." The Court has posted the matter for hearing on March 6.

The time was extended after the government sought time. By an earlier, order passed the court had held that "We are of the prima facie view that the state will have to rehabilitate those who were evicted. It all started with the police inspector of the state government writing a letter to the land owners, thus the state has to rehabilitate all of them, either pay them or accomodate them somewhere else."

People's Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL), had moved the court stating that action taken by the BBMP and police, was an act of collective criminality, which discriminated against one community, as it violates Article 14, 19 (d) (e) of the Constitution of India.

The petition claimed that the evictions are taking place on the basis of a notice issued by the Inspector, Marathahalli Police Station and a communication of the Assistant Executive Engineer, BBMP, Marathahalli Sub-division, claiming that Bangaladeshi immigrants are residing in the said area referencing some whatsapp videos. It is submitted that such notice is blatantly illegal and arbitrary. The residents residing herein are migrants from North Karnataka, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Bihar and are being victimized on the basis of their vulnerable socio-economic status.