Bengaluru Mall Sealed Over Tax Arrears Days After Insulting Farmer

by Hemanta Pande

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has sealed the G.T. Mall on Magadi Road in Bengaluru over non-payment of tax arrears and also issued a notice seeking clarification on the incident wherein a farmer was denied entry for wearing a dhoti.

Bengaluru, July 19: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has sealed the G.T. Mall on Magadi Road in Bengaluru over non-payment of tax arrears and also issued a notice seeking clarification on the incident wherein a farmer was denied entry for wearing a dhoti.

The management of the mall has been asked to submit a statement regarding the incident of insulting the farmer in 24 hours.

"As per Section 156 of the BBMP Act 2020, read with a circular dated Dec 6, 2023, your trade license is suspended, and property is sealed for non-payment of arrears property tax - by BBMP order," the defaulter's notice pasted at the entrance of mall after sealing the property stated.

The BBMP stated that the mall had a due of Rs 2.82 crore of property tax, and including the cesses the total due was Rs 3.55 crore.

As per the orders, the mall was sealed by the civic authorities on Thursday evening. The Mall will remain sealed until all arrears are cleared.

The Karnataka government on Thursday announced in the Assembly that the mall in Bengaluru where a farmer was insulted and not allowed entry will be shut for seven days.

Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning Bhyrathi Suresh had made the announcement on the floor of the House. “As per the government laws, the GT Mall will be shut for seven days for denying entry to the farmer into the mall,” Minister Suresh had stated.

“I had consulted the ex-BBMP Commissioner regarding the issue. Mr. Speaker, the government has the power. For seven days the mall could be shut as per the law. We will take action immediately and shut down the mall,” Minister Suresh had declared.

The BJP raised the issue reported on Wednesday and demanded strict action against the mall to send a message. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka stated that the government should initiate an action without fail.

On Tuesday evening, a septuagenarian farmer Fakirappa from Haveri district, accompanied by his son Nagaraj and wife Mallamma, was denied entry to GT World Mall on Magadi Road, in Bengaluru citing his attire as he was clad in dhoti.

The incident sparked a row as the video of the incident went viral on social media. The management of the mall tendered an apology and the security guard also apologised for the incident.

Fakirappa's family had booked tickets for a Kannada movie and his family was stopped at the entrance despite having the tickets. The security guards maintained that those clad in dhoti were not allowed in the mall. (IANS)

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We Were Fortunate To Get Virat Kohli's Wicket On That Delivery, Says William O'Rourke

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Bengaluru, Oct 18: New Zealand pacer William O'Rourke feels that he was fortunate to take Virat Kohli's dismissal on the ball which was going down the leg in the first Test against India on Thursday.

Kohli departed on a nine-ball duck as he edged the ball which was taken by Glenn Phillips at the leg gully on the second day in Bengaluru. India had an abysmal outing in the first innings under overcast conditions as they were bowled out for just 46 runs, their lowest-ever Test score at home and their third-lowest in history.

"I think just with my angle back in, having that leg gully in place was meant to bring him into play. It was obviously an attacking option for us. We were fortunate to get the wicket. I don’t think that was exactly the delivery I intended, but it worked and I got his wicket, so I’m happy about it," O'Rourke told JioCinema.

The weather conditions and moisture on the pitch supported Kiwi seamers and O'Rourke said he felt like playing at home. "Very similar to the conditions back home. I think we weren't expecting too much assistance in the morning. We were probably going to bat as well if we won the toss. So, it was nice to see the ball nipping around, and I could just run in and do my thing," the pacer said.

"I think we were excellent in the field today. A few diving chances and I think that's what we pride ourselves on. We probably haven't been as good as we wanted to be in the last few Tests. So, coming out here and putting on a show like that was really special," he added.

Playing for the first time in India, O'Rourke returned with the figures of 4-22 in his 12 overs and credited the Sri Lanka series for getting a sense of the subcontinental conditions.

"It’s my first time playing in the subcontinent so it’s obviously a little bit different from back home, but playing those first two Tests in Sri Lanka really helped prepare me to come out here and just focus on doing my own thing," he said.

After dismissing India for a dismal total, the visitors ended day two on 180 for 3, leading by 134 runs. Devon Conway was the standout for the visitors, scoring 91 runs, while Will Young contributed 33. Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja bagged one scalp each but India face an uphill task to recover from their nightmare start in the series opener.

Bengaluru Mall Sealed Over Tax Arrears Days After Insulting Farmer

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