The Karnataka High Court on Monday sought the State government's response in a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the proposed shift of the Bangalore Turf Club to the Kunigal Stud Farm [Vijay Nishanth v Union of India]..A Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice KS Hemalekha was hearing the PIL filed by environmental activist Vijay Nishanth challenging the allocation of 110 acres of the Kunigal Stud Farm to be repurposed as the Bangalore Turf Club.The Court clarified that the challenge was only on the ground of shifting the race course, a commercial venture, to a land traditionally used for horse breeding. .Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath submitted that the State had approached the National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai to determine whether the land would qualify as a biodiversity site. Kamath further added that the issue falls under the jurisdiction of the State and the Karnataka Biodiversity Board in response to the requirement of approval from the central government. .Appearing for the petitioner, Senior Advocate Sriram Panchu countered that approval from the Central government was a requirement. The matter is scheduled to be heard on July 15. .In a related PIL filed by social activist and architect Sharan Desai, the Court was urged to direct the State to earmark 30 acres of land within Bengaluru for a new High Court complex. Appearing for the State, Advocate General K Shashi Kiran Shetty had submitted earlier this month that the government was actively considering allotment of land from the Turf Club premises."There is a plan to allot land from the Turf Club in Bengaluru next week for the construction of a new High Court building. We will hold a meeting with the Turf Club management in this regard." .Taking note of the development, the Bench had commented that the proposed judicial complex must be designed keeping long-term requirements in mind."The new building should be constructed in a way that meets the needs of the next 30 to 50 years," Chief Justice Bakhru remarked.
