The Bengaluru North City Corporation closed eight commercial establishments, most of them eateries, in the SFS 208 residential layout in Yelahanka on 28 October. It cited Supreme Court directions on commercial activity in residential areas.
The order, in short
On 22 September, the Supreme Court directed that:
- Where land is designated and approved only for residential use, commercial premises are sealed first.
- Where the permitted use is not clearly specified, the status quo stays for now.
- A pending title or other case does not stop sealing.
- Authorities must not pick and choose whom to act against.
The next hearing is on 23 November.
For landowners and developers
Commercial premises in a layout approved only for residential use are first in line for sealing, and a pending case does not stop it. For landowners letting property to businesses, and for developers planning retail or mixed use in an existing layout, the use the layout was sanctioned for decides what is allowed, not the use on the ground today.