BDA Rejects Viral Claims of Graveyard Sites in Bengaluru's Shivaram Karanth Layout
The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has found itself embroiled in an unusual controversy after social media posts alleged that residential sites in the Shivaram Karanth Layout, spanning northern and western parts of Bengaluru, were developed on what appeared to be a graveyard. The civic body has strongly denied these allegations, stating that acquiring graveyard land is legally impossible.
Viral Social Media Posts Spark Public Reaction
Photos shared on X by user Sunil Reddy on Monday quickly went viral, showing what looked like graves within the layout area. The images, tagged to BDA commissioner Manivannan P, were reportedly taken in Sector 1 of Shivaram Karanth Layout near Ramagondanahalli along Yelahanka-Doddaballapur Road. The sector has visible development including roads, a lake, and yellow boards with site numbers installed alongside pavements.
The posts drew amused reactions from citizens, with one netizen quipping: "Looks like the sites are already pre-booked by spirits. You won't find a layout more peaceful than this anywhere else." Another viral post questioned: "For whom are these sites being allocated in a crematorium, in Shivaram Karanth Layout?"
BDA's Strong Denial and Legal Position
BDA commissioner Manivannan P firmly rejected the allegations, telling TOI: "Nobody can acquire a graveyard. This is not a graveyard. Perhaps a farmer who owned the land buried a deceased person there. Even Supreme Court has clearly stated that graveyards cannot be acquired by any agency."
Another BDA official expressed doubts about the photographs' authenticity, stating: "We are trying to ascertain if these are AI-generated photos. The possibility of sites being carved in a graveyard is zero, we are checking."
Timing and Context of the Controversy
The controversy emerges at a crucial time when commissioner Manivannan is making earnest efforts to improve BDA's image, which has long been associated with apathy and corruption. The authority has been preparing for its first major site allotment since the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout in 2016.
Over 5,000 sites in Phase I were slated for allotment in January 2024, though approximately 7,000–8,000 public allotments remain stalled due to litigation by land-losers. As preparatory work began, prospective buyers visited the layout to assess potential future neighborhoods, with one buyer reportedly discovering the site in question.
Development Status and Public Perception
Shivaram Karanth Layout represents one of Bengaluru's most closely watched housing projects, with significant infrastructure development already visible in the area. The controversy has added an unexpected and eerie dimension to what should be a routine urban development process.
While BDA maintains there has been no wrongdoing, the viral nature of the allegations and the authority's defensive response highlight the challenges facing urban development authorities in maintaining public trust while executing large-scale housing projects.
