Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 19: Through a representation addressed to Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner (DC), RTI and human rights activist, Hanif Saheb Pajapalla, has sought legal action against people who are trying to convert the erstwhile Brahmin Girls School and its playground standing in the heart of the city, into restaurant. He has asserted that this is tantamount to clear violation of law.

In the letter, Hanif says that he had brought to the notice of the DC on December 27, 2016, about the above violation. He also has expressed suspicion about the silence owned by the city corporation commissioner here, although his attention was also drawn to this illegal development on the same day. "It is observed that the work on converting the said school into restaurant is progressing in full swing now. We also had complained to Mangaluru Urban Development Authority but this too has failed to evoke any action," he has said.

He has pointed out that the city corporation's town planning section has failed to provide documents sought for within 48 hours since seeking the same, although application under RTI act was filed on January 4, 2017. "We had sought details over door number 13/1/19/20 from 2001 to 2016, but the revenue section has given information only till 2014," he has pointed out.

Hanif says that by using set back and parking lot of Asheerwad building in the school premises for restaurant, the concerned have transgressed legal provisions. The building violates fire brigade rules as toilet and water tank have been built in the set back areas,he claims. He has alleged that the place is being used as restaurant without affecting change of land use permission, besides pointing out that it has not been converted into a single site, and revenue conversion has not been done.

The stage, trees, and rooms standing in the premises have been demolished. No steps have been taken against efforts to build restaurant here. The said school was started in 1870 for giving education to children. Over a period of time, this school was closed for sometime because of shortage of students. The school should have been reopened. As per the Karnataka Education Act 1983, when a school is closed, its property goes to the government, Hanif says.

Hanif has requested the DC to interfere in the matter, order stay against business licence given to the restaurant and to reopen the school in the premises.

As per information, the above premises where the Brahmin Girls School once stood is currently under CSI church, and the same has been given on lease to a private party.