Another clearance drive in Bengaluru; BDA demolishes over 60 homes in Thanisandra

Residents in Ashwath Nagar near Thanisandra allege sudden eviction without notice as BDA clears encroachments, triggering emotional scenes and political accusations.

Just days after an encroachment clearance in Kogilu Layout, a major demolition drive was carried out in Thanisandra on the outskirts of Bengaluru, leaving dozens of families shattered. The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) launched the operation early Friday morning, with JCB machines moving in as early as 7 am.

The eviction drive took place near Nagawara, in Ashwath Nagar close to Thanisandra, where officials demolished several structures claiming they were built on encroached government land. According to preliminary information, nearly 60 houses were flattened during the operation.

Also Read:Kogilu land grab case: Two arrested, police seek custody to probe larger encroachment racket

Residents alleged that the demolition was carried out without any prior notice or formal communication. Many homeowners broke down at the site, claiming they had legally purchased the properties and possessed documents to prove ownership. Several families said they had bought the houses barely three months ago.

One of the affected residents said the house was purchased from a woman named Fatima. Another family stated they had postponed their wedding, pledged their gold jewellery and invested all their savings to buy the home, only to see it demolished. Emotional scenes unfolded as homeowners pleaded with officials, warning they would rather die than allow their houses to be broken.

Some residents threatened suicide, crying inconsolably and accusing authorities of destroying their lives overnight. “We are inside the house, we will not leave,” some shouted, as bulldozers moved closer.

BDA officials stated that the demolition was part of an encroachment clearance on land falling under Survey Numbers 28/1 and 28/2, which they claim belongs to the BDA. Locals, however, alleged that the eviction was being carried out to facilitate land development linked to Shivakumar’s property.

Also Read:Aadhaar not enough: Karnataka faces hurdles in rehousing evicted Kogilu Layout families

Residents also pointed out that adjacent to the Sarai Palya encroachment area lies around 13 acres of DK Shivakumar’s land. They alleged that the BDA land in Sarai Palya was being cleared to enable development of the neighbouring DK Shivakumar’s land.

Anger on the ground quickly turned political, with locals openly accusing the Deputy Chief Minister and questioning the intent behind the sudden action. Protesters demanded accountability, compensation, and clarity on why families were evicted without notice despite holding documents.

Lawyers representing the displaced residents have appealed to the authorities to temporarily halt the eviction drive. Discussions are currently underway between the lawyers and the BDA Executive Engineer, who is also briefing senior BDA officials on the latest developments.

However, the BDA has decided to proceed with completing the eviction operation and move ahead with fencing the cleared land. For this purpose, the authority has already brought in fencing wires and cement boards, indicating its plan to immediately erect a compound after the clearance work is completed.