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Opposition leaders and civil society groups have questioned the sustainability of the government’s resettlement policy, alleging unequal treatment of eviction victims.
More than 200 houses were destroyed in Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout in Kogilu village near Yelahanka in a demolition drive carried out in the early hours of 20 December. (News18)
The Karnataka government’s decision to provide flats to families displaced during the recent eviction drive in Kogilu Layout in North Bengaluru has triggered a widespread debate over alleged discrimination in resettlement policies. Critics have questioned why residents evicted from the Kogilu layout are being given relief while thousands of people displaced in similar demolition drives across the city in recent years are not receiving any compensation or alternative housing.
The dispute started after eviction of unauthorized houses and sheds in Kogilu Layout near Yelahanka on December 20, 2025. The eviction carried out by Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) targeted encroachment on government grazing land in survey number 99 earmarked for Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML). Officials said the land was unsuitable and unsafe for human habitation and was intended for waste processing facilities.
Following the eviction of an estimated 167 to 200 houses and sheds in Fakir Colony and Wasim Layout, many families were left homeless, triggering protests and political reactions that spread beyond Karnataka. This issue attracted national attention and was also discussed at the international level. The Human Rights Commission is currently investigating this matter.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah later called a meeting and announced that alternative accommodation would be provided on humanitarian grounds. Under this decision, eligible families who do not own land or houses will be allotted flats under the Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana at Baiyappanahalli, about 7 km from Kogilu Layout. The cost of each flat is approximately Rs 11.2 lakh. Officials said a list of eligible beneficiaries will be prepared on the basis of Aadhar card, voter ID card and other documents, the distribution of which is scheduled to begin from January 1.
What is the Bengaluru eviction case controversy about?
The controversy centers on the government’s announcement of allotting flats worth about Rs 11.2 lakh to each family displaced from Kogilu Layout, while victims of earlier demolition drives elsewhere in Bengaluru reportedly did not receive any alternative accommodation or compensation. Opponents claim that multiple eviction drives carried out by agencies such as the BBMP, BDA and district administrations have resulted in mass displacement without rehabilitation, raising questions of unequal treatment.
The decision has also drawn political accusations and public debate over whether relief is being provided selectively, although officials say the Kogilu Layout land was unsafe for habitation and aid is being provided strictly on humanitarian grounds.
allegations of unequal treatment
This announcement has led to allegations of selective relief. Critics argue that while residents of Kogilu Layout are being offered flats, similar rehabilitation has not been provided to those displaced during earlier eviction drives across Bengaluru. Multiple demolition drives carried out by agencies including the BBMP, Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) and the district administration have left poor and homeless families without alternative arrangements.
Previous eviction drive across Bengaluru
In January 2025, the BDA demolished 309 unauthorized houses in Karanth Layout. On January 20, BBMP removed more than 45 illegally constructed structures and sheds. On 5 April 2025, about 12 acres of government land was vacated in Bengaluru Urban district, followed by removal of encroachment on about 10 acres of land under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner on 3 May.
Additional demolitions included 13 houses cleared by June, 10 houses near Rayasandra in Anekal in August, and encroachments removed along the Raja Canal in Bommasandra in September. On 20 December, 187 houses were demolished near Kogilu under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner. The officials also reported seizure of government land worth Rs 2.5 crore near Kodigehalli in KR Puram, Rs 5 crore near Velepura in Varthur Hobli, Rs 35,000 near Ramanayakanahalli in Anekal Hobli and Rs 5.1 crore near Bommashettihalli in Dasanpura Hobli. Evictions were also carried out in Rajarajeshwari Nagar-HMT ward and Parappana Agrahara in Bengaluru South taluk.
In many of these cases, displaced families reportedly did not receive any compensation, housing or land allocation, which is now the focus of ongoing public debate.
This issue is being thoroughly investigated
Opposition leaders and civil society groups have questioned the sustainability of the government’s resettlement policy, alleging unequal treatment of eviction victims. The Kogilu Layout case has since taken on a political tone, with allegations of appeasement and discrimination being publicly debated.
The government has said that the decision to provide the flats was taken on humanitarian grounds, citing security concerns and eligibility criteria. The issue remains under scrutiny as discussions over fair rehabilitation and equitable policy for eviction victims intensify.
December 31, 2025, 17:02 IST
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