Complaint seeks FIR against present and former Chief Secretary over alleged footpath encroachment
A complaint has been filed before the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) seeking criminal action against Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and her husband, retired
A complaint has been filed before the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) seeking criminal action against Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and her husband, retired IAS officer and former Chief Secretary Rajneesh Goel, over allegations of encroachment on a public footpath and civic land in HSR Layout. The complaint, submitted to the BMTF Police Station and the Additional Director General of Police, BMTF, alleges that the couple, who are joint khata holders of a property in Sector 6 of HSR Layout, illegally extended their occupation beyond the sanctioned property boundary and encroached upon a public footpath vested with the civic authority.
According to the complainant, permanent steel-frame structures have been erected on the allegedly encroached portion of the footpath, obstructing pedestrian movement and effectively converting a section of public land into private land. The complaint further alleges that the property, originally allotted for residential purposes, has been commercially exploited through rental arrangements in violation of allotment conditions. Seeking registration of an FIR, the complainant has invoked provisions of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, relating to encroachment and unauthorised occupation of civic property, as well as provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) concerning criminal trespass and mischief.
The complainant has submitted documentary material, including a BBMP e-Khata and photographs purportedly showing the alleged encroachment and structures erected on the footpath. The complaint contends that the allegations involve senior public servants who are expected to uphold the law and protect public property, and therefore warrant an impartial investigation. Among the reliefs sought are the registration of an FIR, a detailed spot inspection and survey, removal of the alleged encroachment, restoration of the footpath for public use, and referral of the matter to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and other competent authorities for examination of possible violations of allotment conditions and service conduct norms.
The complainant stated that the complaint was submitted in the presence of media representatives to ensure transparency in the process. There was no immediate response available from Shalini Rajneesh or Rajneesh Goel regarding the allegations. No case had been registered at the time of filing the complaint.
The BriefWire