BBMP Plan near Sarakki Lake Under Lens: Karnataka High Court Orders Crackdown on Buffer Zone Construction, Compliance Report by June 30
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has issued significant directions in the Sarakki Lake encroachment case, observing that portions of construction carried out by a private developer (Messers Mahavir Developers) fall within the mandatory 30-metre buffer zone prescribed under the Master Plan 2015.
In its order dated February 20, 2026, in Writ Petition No. 3703 of 2023, the Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Poonacha examined the validity of the survey map dated November 9, 2024, and affidavits filed by the Deputy Commissioner and BBMP officials. The Deputy Commissioner confirmed that the survey map was correct and that the construction by the private respondent occupied 1,679.38 square metres within the designated buffer area.
The Court noted that Regulation 4.2.2(ii)(iv) of the Master Plan 2015 mandates a 30-metre โno development zoneโ around lakes as per revenue records. It clarified that even if a building plan had been sanctioned, such approval cannot override statutory requirements under the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act and related laws.
The Bench further observed that earlier directions issued in 2014 to remove encroachments and fence the lake boundary had not been fully complied with. Portions of the buffer zone remain encroached, and fencing was incomplete in certain stretches.
Taking note of the statutory framework under the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority Act and recent governance changes including the constitution of the Greater Bengaluru Authority, the Court directed the Chief Secretary to constitute a committee within three weeks. The panel will include representatives from BBMP (or GBA), the Deputy Commissioner, and the Tank Development Authority, among other stakeholders.
The Committee has been tasked with overseeing action under relevant laws to notify alleged encroachers and initiate proceedings for removal of unauthorised constructions in the buffer zone. A compliance report must be submitted to the High Court within three months, and the matter has been listed for reporting compliance on June 30, 2026.
The Court also clarified that the rights and contentions of affected parties remain reserved and must be adjudicated in accordance with law.
The ruling is being viewed as a significant step in reinforcing lake protection norms and strengthening enforcement mechanisms against buffer zone violations in Bengaluru.
Also Read: Bengaluru South City Corporation Initiates Action to Remove Encroachments Around Sarakki Lake
Also Read: Sarakki Lake Encroachment Case: Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh Forms Committee, 2-Month Deadline to Submit Report
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