KHB, government departments get HC notice

BANGALORE: The High Court on Wednesday ordered notice on the state government in connection with a petition seeking action against a private firm for misusing government land and indulging in real estate business.Hearing the petition filed by a resident of Mysore, Narayana, a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice A S Bopanna ordered notices to the Department of Commerce and Industries, Karnataka Housing Board and Urban Development Department. The petitioner stated that the Environment Research and Plantation limited (ERPL) in collaboration with KHB had planned a layout for the economically backward and middle classes at Kesere village near Mysore.   He added that though an agreement dated July 23, 2006, was signed stating that KHB will promote the property, the ERPL appointed three foreigners as its board members who resorted to real estate business. “Even farmlands were sold without conversion,” he said.